Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

What empire fell, marking the beginning of the period historians call the “Middle Ages”? What was daily life like during this time? Who were the Anglo-Saxons? Who were the Normans?

Teaching Suggestion: Depending on their background with the medieval period, it may be beneficial for students to view the first video or consult resources online before discussion. The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood takes place during the reigns of English monarch Henry II and his sons. Some of the conflicts between Normans and Anglo-Saxons that students will come across in researching this time period can be seen in the novel when reading for detail. The video introduces lifestyle details and images that appear in the novel such as archery as a pastime and the illegal hunting on noble lands (which initially makes Robin Hood an outlaw).

• This 13-minute video describes what life was like in Medieval England.
• This article provides a brief overview of Medieval England and the political upheaval surrounding that time.

Short Activity