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Chivalry Today provides a variety of presentations for schools, youth groups and libraries tailored to fit the unique needs, interests and learning levels of their students or members. See the options below to see some of the many talks, displays, and interactive presentations we can bring to your group – be it a classroom, a library auditorium, a campus athletic field, or a summer camp!
While the descriptions below represent some of our more popular offerings, we are always willing to coordinate with teachers, homeschool parents, camp facilitators, librarians and church activity directors to create a unique offering to meet your teaching goals.
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Convenient on-campus "living history" demonstrations showing various aspects of life in the Middle Ages, presented by Chivalry Today's team of knowledgable historical experts.
12-18 years / 7-12th grade
Or any class studying Medieval and Renaissance history.
Variable
From 60 minutes to half day.
Educational Standards & Learning Objectives
Taking students to a historical site to learn from costumed re-enactors and interpreters (like you’d see at one of the California Missions, the Cabrillo National Monument, or at San Diego’s Historic Old Town) is a great way to give them an immersive sense of history – but how can you incorporate the same sort of learning experience when studying the European Middle Ages or the Renaissance if your school is in sunny Southern California?
With Chivalry Today’s Festival Of Chivalry, your students can step back into medieval history and get a taste of life in the Middle Ages just like taking a trip to a historical interpretation center in England … without even leaving campus!
For the Festival of Chivalry, you get to choose which educational stations Chivalry Today will bring to your school – you can choose any, or all of the following topic-specific learning stations, according to the space, budget, and resources you have available.
Deed Of Arms: Medieval Swordfighting - A team of armored knights demonstrate the skills of medieval fencing (sword-fighting), and the ideals of chivalry in action, as they engage in a deed of arms in which students will judge the victor.
Falconry In Ye Boke Of St. Albans - A breathtaking chance to learn about the customs and rituals of hunting with birds of prey in the medieval world, and meet a real live raptor up close.
Medieval Artillery: The Catapult - With our scale-model and full-sized medieval siege engines (or "catapults"), students will get a dramatic demonstration of the power of knightly engineering as they see a projectile launched 100 yards or more.
The Medieval Bread Oven - Our traveling 600 lb. brick bread oven will give students a real treat: A chance to taste warm, fresh bread baked using medieval recipes and techniques, as they learn about medieval cuisine.
Medieval Song & Music - Students listen to authentic medieval music played by an ensemble of musicians using 14th and 15th century instruments like the vielle, krummhorn or rackett.
Troubadours & Tales Of The Round Table - Discover about the storytelling traditions of the Middle Ages, and hear an exciting tale of the chivalrous adventures of the Knights of Camelot..
Clothing and Fashion of Medieval Europe - See a "fashion show" of 14th garments, representing a variety of social classes, geographic regions, and functions.
Arms, Armor and Chivalry - See how the technology, function and fashion of a knight's armor changed from the 11th to the 15th centuries in battle and jousting tournaments.
Village Blacksmith & Medieval Crafts - While knights were practicing their battle skills, craftsmen and women were busy practicing trades like blacksmithing as well as wood, leather, and other necessary crafts. Our talented blacksmith will demonstrate the skills of the forge, and discuss craftsmanship in medieval society.
Knights On Horseback - A hard-hitting demonstration of real, competitive jousting on horseback with two knights in full 15th century armor (this not a scripted stunt-riding show).
The Roman Empire and the Dark Ages - Reconnect with earlier lessons in European history with displays of Roman military organization, or Scandinavian culture during the Viking age.
In this presentation, crafted in conjunction with San Diego’s Intrepid Shakespeare Company, students will experience the “knightly” side of Shakespeare.
12-18 years / 7-12th grade
Or any class reading Shakespeare's plays
Variable
From 60 minutes to half day.
Educational Standards & Learning Objectives
So says historian William Henry Schofield – a reminder of just how strong an influence the ideals of chivalry, and the image of knighthood, plays in the works of Shakespeare. From the exciting duels of Hamlet and Romeo & Juliet, to the battle scenes of Henry V and Macbeth, Shakespeare’s plays are full of swords and armor, kings and knights, and ideals of honor and glory. Understanding the world of knights and chivalry can give students new insight into the plays of Shakespeare — and reading or performing Shakespeare can give students deeper understanding of the values of honor and chivalry in their own lives!
This presentation brings the action and drama of Shakespeare’s plays to life in a richly engaging and authentic way, helping students understand the relevance these works had in Shakespeare’s time, as well as in the modern world.
At your request, this presentation can be combined with a live 50-minute performance ofRomeo & Juliet,Macbeth, or Hamlet staged by the acclaimed actors of the Intrepid Shakespeare Company in your school theater or multi-purpose room.
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Kids love watching the stories they read spring to life, which is why King Arthur & The Code of The Round Table is Chivalry Today’s most popular live presentation.
5-11 years / K-6th grade
40 Minutes
Educational Standards & Learning Objectives
In this presentation, program director Scott Farrell (shown at right speaking at a summer camp in San Diego as part of their “knights’ quest” event) takes on the character of King Arthur to spark children’s interest in discovering the tales of Camelot, and to help them understand what it means to live by a code of honor.
The talk is filled with delightful props and engaging stories about the Knights of the Round Table. With King Arthur to guide them, children see that chivalry isn’t “dead,” and it isn’t lost in the days of Camelot — it lives on in the leaders, mentors and role models they see in the world around them.
This presentation covers the following character issues:
King Arthur & The Code of the Round Table is adapted from Scott’s popular portrayal of King Arthur in the American Rose Theatre’s 2006 production of the musical Camelot (pictured left, with Scott Farrell as Arthur and award-winning actress Amanda Kramer as Guenevere). This presentation — which includes the whimsical story of young Arthur and the Sword in the Stone — has been seen and enjoyed by thousands of students and children (and parents too!) in schools, libraries and churches throughout California.
This presentation is perfect for library storytime gatherings, reading groups focusing on the tales of King Arthur, Scouting organizations or any youth-oriented gathering with a “knights in shining armor” theme.
In this presentation, crafted in conjunction with San Diego’s Intrepid Shakespeare Company, students will experience the “knightly” side of Shakespeare.
13-18 years / 7-12th grade
60 - 90 Minutes
Educational Standards & Learning Objectives
Was there more to knighthood than just swords, armor and violence? Did chivalry ever really exist? And most importantly, how does the Code of Chivalry continue to influence social conventions — from politics to dating etiquette — in the modern world of today?
Students often struggle to understand the brutal yet colorful period that is called the Age of Chivalry. Calling upon historical chronicles and literary sources, program director Scott Farrell (pictured at right, with a group of knight-candidates eager to practice the skills of chivalry) brings the social, political, military and literary aspects of the medieval world to life as he explores the history of knights and the place of chivalry in Western European feudal culture.
Additionally, the presentation also examines issues of ethics, morality and character development as students consider how the principles of the Code of Chivalry have shaped social and legal policies including military doctrine, professional ethics, law enforcement and the justice system in the 21st century.
Topics discussed in this presentation include:
This presentation is a great tie-in with a campus Renaissance faire as it helps students understand the social role of the knight and the lady, and how they interacted with peasants, merchants and the clergy. It is also a perfect way to prepare students for a field trip to a museum or live jousting show, or to turn a “movie day” featuring a film with a medieval setting into a teaching opportunity.
In this presentation, crafted in conjunction with San Diego’s Intrepid Shakespeare Company, students will experience the “knightly” side of Shakespeare.
14-18 years / 9-12th grade
60 Minutes
Educational Standards & Learning Objectives
You’d love to take your students on a field trip to an arms and armor museum display as part of your Medieval and Renaissance studies unit. Unfortunately, hardly any school has the budget to fly a whole classroom to the Royal Armouries (pictured at right), the Wallace Collection or the Higgins Armoury Museum … but with Chivalry Today’s new presentation A Knight At The Museum, you can bring the museum display into your classroom.
In this presentation, students will get to examine arms and armor from the 11th through the 16th centuries in just the same way they would following a curator through a museum display. They’ll learn the construction, function, development, and cultural significance of medieval arms and armor – with the added benefit of getting to explore the pieces “hands on” (instead of just peering through glass cases!).
In this presentation, students will:
Throughout the presentation, students will also learn the values and ideals of the code of chivalry which were symbolized by the knight’s arms and armor – and relate those ideals to contemporary professions and concepts, such as military policy, business ethics and law enforcement practices. They will see that the examples set by the chivalrous knights of the Middle Ages still live on in the 21st century – chivalry isn’t something to be locked away behind glass!
13-18 years / 7-12th grade
90 Minutes
Educational Standards & Learning Objectives
This presentation allows students to witness a demonstration of a knightly “deed of arms” — a show of martial skill in which warriors proved their skill and valor before an audience of their peers (like the one taking place at a Southern California middle school campus, shown at right) in an attempt to prove they were worthy of the title knight.
The Deed Of Arms is not a scripted “knight sword-fighting performance,” but rather a contest of skill with replica (safety) weapons — a real demonstration of Western martial arts. As such, students will be expected to participate in the event … not as combatants, but as judges. The presentation begins with a lesson in the history of tournaments, duels and “deeds of arms” as students prepare to judge the skills they’ll see demonstrated in combat (from the perspective of nobles, clergy and peasants alike). At the conclusion, they’ll use their knowledge to determine the winner of the day based on skill, courage and chivalry.
Since the Deed Of Arms is colorful and full of exciting action, it makes a perfect centerpiece to an on-campus Renaissance Faire, or any sort of activity in which students are expected to “dress the part” and learn through involvement. We will gladly coordinate with you to make sure the Deed Of Arms fits in with your lesson plans and campus activities
In this presentation, crafted in conjunction with San Diego’s Intrepid Shakespeare Company, students will experience the “knightly” side of Shakespeare.
02-18 years / 5-12th grade
60 - 90 Minutes
Educational Standards & Learning Objectives
The Joust Royalé brings live jousting action and knights in authentic armor to your school campus for a fraction of a price of a field trip!
The Joust Royalé is an interpretive educational experience that your students won’t forget. Thundering hooves, gleaming armor, flashing swords and the amazing sight of lances shattering on impact bring the events of medieval history to life right in front of your students’ eyes.
This is a demonstration of real knightly skills at their finest: horseback riding, weaponry skills, and the iconic sport of jousting. This sort of display is rarely found outside of some of the finest museums and interpretive centers in Europe – but with the help of Chivalry Today,the Joust Royalé is as close as your athletic field or campus lawn.
Most importantly, the Joust Royalé also provides an important opportunity for character education. Our armored knights engage in this contest of deadly skill in the true spirit of honor, dignity and Olympic sportsmanship. There’ll be no name calling, no shouts of “boo!,” and no staged displays of violence, aggression or threatening behavior. Instead, students will have a chance to witness and appreciate supreme knightly skill at arms, conducted by the ideals of the code of chivalry.
This presentation includes the following demonstrations and interpretative activities:
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8-15 years / 3-10th grade
Scouts & Crafts Activities
60 Minutes
Educational Standards & Learning Objectives
Medieval war engines, such as the catapults, were fearsome weapons, but they were also marvels of engineering and building skills. Learn how medieval engineers, with nothing more than a small box full of metal parts, could fabricate a machine that would hurl a 500 lb. stone more than the length of a football field!
This fun, engaging presentation is full of hands-on activities as kids get to take an active part in discovering medieval war machines like the catapult and trebuchet, and the mechanical principles involved in their construction. Attendees will have the opportunity to operate an authentically built, scale-model siege engine (like the students at right, shown eagerly waiting to fire a variety of medieval artillery pieces) and see an impressive video of a full-sized reproduction of a trebuchet in action.
Learning objectives include:
This presentation includes a Powerpoint media display of replica war engines. Some form of audio-visual equipment will be necessary in order to bring Catapult: The Medieval War Machine! to your class, library or camp — a high-tech computer display or big-screen digital projector will work, but so will a good old-fashioned TV cart. Please contact us for technical details.
To further enhance the educational potential of Catapult: The Medieval War Machine!, this presentation can include a hands-on opportunity for each student to construct their own tabletop catapult out of craft sticks. Additional cost (for time and materials) may be necessary depending on the number of attendees; please ask about this optional portion of our presentation when you contact us.
12-18 years / 7-12th grade
60 Minutes - 2 Hours
Educational Standards & Learning Objectives
The great stone fortress known as the castle is an icon of the knight, the feudal system and the Middle Ages. But castles were not drab, chilly tombs, and they were not built strictly as military fortresses. In the Middle Ages, a castle was a center of political influence, regional trade, spiritual worship and intellectual learning
In Castle Life: Home For The Knight, students will learn the roles of some of the key individuals who lived in a great medieval castle, such as the one at Chepstow (pictured above): the knight and his lady, as well as the chaplain (the knight’s personal priest and clerk), the reeve (a peasant who was the chief legal representative) and the engineer (who oversaw the construction and defenses in times of battle).
In this presentation, students will learn about:
This presentation includes a multimedia display of some of the finest castles in England with a focus on the history, function and archetecture of the buildings. Some form of audio-visual equipment will be necessary in order to bring Castle Life: Home For The Knight to your classroom — a high-tech computer display or big-screen digital projector will work, but so will a good old-fashioned TV cart. Please contact us for technical details.
To further enhance the educational potential of Castle Life: Home For The Knight, this presentation can include a variety of optional hands-on learning opportunities, such as: a calligraphy lesson, heraldry design, or building a tabletop catapult. Additional cost (for time and materials) may be necessary depending on the number of attendees; please ask about this optional portion of our presentation when you contact us.
Chivalry Today is always willing to coordinate with teachers, homeschool parents, camp facilitators, librarians and church activity directors to create a unique offering to meet your teaching goals. Simply email Chivalry Today for information about crafting a presentation to meet your educational needs.
Every young man imagines himself as a heroic champion, a great warrior from ages of old! And – we are delighted to see – more and more young women are placing themselves into the roles of gallant warriors as well, thanks to images and role models like Xena, Mulan, Alanna the Lioness, Buffy the Vampire Slayer … and even King Arthur’s lady knight named Silence (one of the Round Table’s best-kept secrets!)
But just what does it mean to be a warrior? Is a warrior merely a person who wears armor and swings a sword, or is there something more to it than that? What sort of arms and armor do warriors use, and what’s the difference between their equipment? What sort of rules, customs, and values guided the warriors of the ancient world? Do the codes of honor idealized by great warriors of the past have any bearing on the heroes and champions of the modern world?
To help children explore their natural curiosity about images and tales of heroic warriors of the past, Chivalry Today has developed the Warrior Camp and Warrior After-School Club programs. In our hour-long (after school) and full-day, week-long (camp) Warrior Programs, children get to learn about, and practice the battle-skills of the historic warriors they may have seen in movies, TV shows, books, or video games – warriors like the Spartans, Roman legionnaires, medieval knights, samurai, mongols, Amazons, Vikings, and more.
Young warriors practice teamwork battle tactics as they discover the history of great warriors like samurai, knights, and Spartans, and learn the codes of honor they followed.
Young warriors learn the art of dueling with swords, and other padded weapons, under the mentorship of Chivalry Today’s coaches and martial arts instructors.
A group of students prepare to put their marching skills to the test as Spartan hoplite warriors.
After School Program
These immersive, adventure camp-style activities provide children with a variety of benefits:
On top of all of that, children at Warrior Camp/Club have a great time testing out their theories and ideas about warriors and their skills. Was a Spartan’s javelin better than a Mongol’s bow? Is a samurai’s sword strong enough to defeat a knight’s armor? How did Roman soldiers march in formation? How did Vikings find their way home in their dragon ships after a battle?
For every youngster who has used a trash can lid as a shield, a broomstick as a lance, or a piece of plastic kitchenware as a helmet (and, yes, Chivalry Today’s instructors have done all of those things when we were young) Warrior Camp/Club brings the image of a heroic warrior to life.
Now there’s a way to let your child release his (or her!) inner “knight in shining armor!"
Warrior Camp is generously hosted by the Team Touché Fencing Center in San Diego’s Sorrento Valley, and is held periodically over various holiday school breaks (Winter and Spring break, and Summer vacation). Warrior Camp sessions are available for half-day, or full-day enrollment. (Early drop-off is available too.) Warrior Camp is intended for children ages 7 to 15, with “junior” and “young adult” age-appropriate activities.
For information about upcoming sessions of Warrior Camp at Team Touché, or to enroll your child, contact Team Touche at (858) 622-9696
Warrior After-School Club is available through the after-school program offerings of several elementary and middle school districts throughout San Diego County.
Check with your school’s after-school club coordinator to see if Warrior Club is available for your student – if not, please tell the school’s front office or extracurricular coordinator that you’d be interested in taking part in Chivalry Today’s after-school program. We’re always looking for more campuses that want to include our program!