Medieval

History comes to life in this interactive guide to the Middle Ages, which explores the fascinating period leading up to the Renaissance—including siege warfare, markets and fairs, medieval medicine, and the feudal system—through numerous hands-on activities. From monastic life and castle living to the Crusades and the Plague, each section provides a vivid glimpse into the daily life of medieval Europeans and ends with one or more fun activities. With little adult supervision and common household objects, children can experience the Middle Ages firsthand by participating in more than 30 projects—such as building a marshmallow cannon, a reliquary, or juggling sticks. Recipes and instructions for creating a medieval feast fit for a king are included, providing kids with an opportunity to step into character and sample traditional fare such as pokerounce, potage, and (nonalcoholic) mead.

Columcille was born in a remote corner of Ireland in the year 521. Legend has it that as a child, he was fed a cake filled with the letters of the alphabet, and so learned to love writing. He grew up to become a monk and a scribe a thousand years before the invention of printing, when books had to be copied by hand.There was one book, a beautiful volume of psalms from distant Rome, that Columcille especially loved, and even though its owner refused him permission, Columcille secretly copied it. The copy was discovered, and a dispute arose over who it belonged to: Columcille, who made it, or the owner of the original. So better was the argument that a battle was fought between the two men's powerful friends; although Columcille's side won, the victory felt hollow to him. To punish himself, he set out in a tiny boat, vowing to leave Ireland forever.A revered figure in Celtic history, Columcille (also known as Columbia) founded the famous monastery on the Scottish island of Iona and left a legacy of learning that illuminated a corner of the Dark Ages. History, drama, and a love of books and reading fill a story--told here in exquisite watercolors and deflty understated prose by noted author and artist Don Brown.