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fandomhigh2007-05-29 10:31 pm
hera-rises.livejournal.com) wrote in fandomhigh2007-05-29 10:31 pm
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History in Action, Wednesday, 3rd Period
As students filed into the Danger SHOP today, they were surrounded by...trees. Lots of trees. In fact, it appeared they might be in the middle of a forest. A lightly-trod path led them to a clearing where light filtered in through leaves shifting in a breeze. It was really a peaceful place. Which explained the bows, arrows, and swords leaned up against chests near where Professor Roslin stood on the far side of the clearing.
“Welcome to England, circa 1200,” she said, grinning. She had cast aside her usual clothes for period clothing, creating a somewhat unusual effect. For all her effort, it was very apparent she didn’t belong in this time period; she simply didn’t…fit. “It’s been a rough century for England. Many sons have been lost to the Crusades; the reigning monarch, Richard, had been captured, held, and ransomed by an Austrian count. England struggled to pay the ransom. Once free, however, he returned to England for about two months. He then charged off, back to the European continent, taking on his cousin, Phillip. He died in 1199, leaving his brother, John, to take the throne.
“But John’s leadership,” she continued, “was quite different from his brother’s, and a lot less popular: While the bards and poets were content to romanticize King Richard’s derring-do, John grew to be despised and hated. The taxes levied to help recuperate the losses to Richard’s ransom, and to pay for the continuing war against France, contributed to this; his military losses in the north of France -- of lands titled to his mother and father -- certainly didn’t help.”
Laura folded her arms, leaning back against a stack of chests. “His dealings with the High Church didn’t help either…especially when he was forced to back down under threat of excommunication by the Pope. If anything, this punctuated his ineffective leadership and overall weaknesses...both of which the English barons exploited.
“Your assignment today, then, is to assist the barons in...convincing King John to sign a few documents, key among them being the ‘Articles of the Barons.’ These same documents will eventually become known as the Magna Carta.”
Standing, Laura gestured to the bows, arrows, and other things. “A royal convoy will be making its way through here shortly. You are to use any means you choose – short of assassination – to make your point.” A wry grin twitched across her lips as she paused. “He needs to be alive to put his seal on the document, after all.
“As always, I’ll be hovering nearby to answer what questions I can. If you need archery practice, a small area has been set aside to my right.”
With that, she left the class to their own devices...for good or ill.
[OCD threads coming up!]
“Welcome to England, circa 1200,” she said, grinning. She had cast aside her usual clothes for period clothing, creating a somewhat unusual effect. For all her effort, it was very apparent she didn’t belong in this time period; she simply didn’t…fit. “It’s been a rough century for England. Many sons have been lost to the Crusades; the reigning monarch, Richard, had been captured, held, and ransomed by an Austrian count. England struggled to pay the ransom. Once free, however, he returned to England for about two months. He then charged off, back to the European continent, taking on his cousin, Phillip. He died in 1199, leaving his brother, John, to take the throne.
“But John’s leadership,” she continued, “was quite different from his brother’s, and a lot less popular: While the bards and poets were content to romanticize King Richard’s derring-do, John grew to be despised and hated. The taxes levied to help recuperate the losses to Richard’s ransom, and to pay for the continuing war against France, contributed to this; his military losses in the north of France -- of lands titled to his mother and father -- certainly didn’t help.”
Laura folded her arms, leaning back against a stack of chests. “His dealings with the High Church didn’t help either…especially when he was forced to back down under threat of excommunication by the Pope. If anything, this punctuated his ineffective leadership and overall weaknesses...both of which the English barons exploited.
“Your assignment today, then, is to assist the barons in...convincing King John to sign a few documents, key among them being the ‘Articles of the Barons.’ These same documents will eventually become known as the Magna Carta.”
Standing, Laura gestured to the bows, arrows, and other things. “A royal convoy will be making its way through here shortly. You are to use any means you choose – short of assassination – to make your point.” A wry grin twitched across her lips as she paused. “He needs to be alive to put his seal on the document, after all.
“As always, I’ll be hovering nearby to answer what questions I can. If you need archery practice, a small area has been set aside to my right.”
With that, she left the class to their own devices...for good or ill.
[OCD threads coming up!]
OOC
Re: OOC
Gwynn will not be in class due to being in the clinic with a chest wound.
Which makles me sad since this is the EXACT time period where she is from and she would have a great many things to say on this.
She would also love to talk to Ms. Roslin about how her and her
father'smen along with King Phillip defeated Prince John and stopped him from being crowned King. :)