In our core class, we've studied many different topics about the middle ages. I have to say that out of all of them, the most interesting to me was learning about Joan of Arc. It was nice to study about her, because she was such a strong woman character, and she inspires all around the world. Another reason why Joan of Arc was so amazing was because she was a peasant girl, and she rallied the whole French troops in the army.

A year ago, I watched the Disney movie Tangled, and in one of the songs, they mentioned the plague with a deadly motion, and I had no idea of what that meant. However, a couple days ago in core, I found out what the black plague was. It was something that you would not have wanted in the middle ages time period. The black plague was a deadly disease that was made up of many forms of bacteria. One of them was the scary bubonic plague. The black plague was very deadly, because there was no cure for it back then. It spread rapidly through Europe, which made a hug change in the European society.
The black plague started in China, and when people travelled along the silk road, many people carried the disease over to Europe, and the silk road spread into many trade routes to different places, and when there are many people carrying the disease on all of those routes, the people are obviously going to be affected. Because of the black plague, about two-thirds of Europe's population died out from it. Doctors thought blood letting would help, but it  was more harm then good. The people of Europ died so fast, that there not enough graves for all the people, which resulted in many dead bodies on the floor, lying around everywhere. The black plague was very deadly, unhygienic, and caused a great drop in the population of Europe during the Middle Ages.

     My father ran up to me, and said that the Pope had called all people to go fight in the Crusades. He asked me to get ready and pack all my belongings. I agreed, and slowly walked to my room. I fell onto my bed, and I just laid there. I wondered what it would be like in the Crusades. Would I even survive? This is the second crusade group, and I know that so many peasants died in the first crusade because of the Muslim Turks. I was scared, but I was sure that we would all be safe and together somehow. My family is a family of nobles, and some of my family members were knights! I packed everything up, but during my packing, I realized something worse. What if everyone died like the rest of the crusaders? I might not even be able to stay with my family!
     I stopped packing, and I felt horrible. I knew that being in the crusades meant we might have to lose our family, and our lives, but I never actually thought about it. I sobbed for a little bit, then stopped. We will still be together, even in the afterlife. I smiled to myself, because I realized that my family will always be together, and then I had another feeling take over my body. Our family would be proud fighting for our religion, showing that we care. We would be even more proud if we came back with the Holy Land of Palestine in our hands, for all of the people to be happy. We would all be proud. I told my father I was upset at first, and then looked at the good in it. My father smiled too. He said, "Thank you. I needed to find some good in going in the crusades at all."

My father, the king of France, came home to me today and told me that he was arranging a marriage for me. I wondered why, and then I realized that it was his ally's child. This would help my father reinforce the stability of my father's army. I didn't know what to say, and my father told me that I could think about it. I want to marry whom I choose, but I want to keep my father safe at the same time. I am lost, in so much trouble. I needed to think about this conundrum, and tell my father my decision. He came back to where I was, and told me that he needed my to give him the consent today, and that pressured me even more. What was I going to do?

It took me a while to think, and I finally came to a decision, and that I had nothing to say about this marriage alliance.            As long as my father knows that how that person, whom I will marry, will not be brutal or mean in any way, I am fine with it, and will do whatever I can to keep my father and his army safe and sound. I really would like to be able to choose my own life partner, but I know this will be the best for my father, and the country of France. Since my father was the king, and my mother was the queen, they had the right to come visit me as much as possible right? So I think that doing this, and agreeing to my father's idea will be the best thing to do. Even though it was a difficult step, I walked up to my father on his massive throne of gold, and told him that I agreed to the marriage, because I knew what was right, which is keeping all of France, and my family safe. 

My father didn't look too happy when I walked in, but he smiled at what I said. He then told me that it was not needed. Hi ally broke alliances with him, and he has to go find a new one. He looked at me and said, "Do you want to come?" I nodded happily, and he told me I could choose the suitor, and that if it was a good country, he'd agree tot he alliance. I was free to choose my suitor, and help keep my father, mother, and France safe. I smiled, and hugged my father, happy to get rid of the conundrum that was in my head.

I have a sad life here in Stromford. It's very upsetting and difficult for me to live here. I am Crispin, more commonly known as Asta's son. I am a serf, which isn't high class in society at all. I am very upset to say, but I Crispin, have lost my family. Since I am a serf, I am bound to the land I stay on, no matter what at all. But, when Aycliffe, the steward of my village claims that I have stolen from Lord Furnival's manor, I am shocked. I haven't done such a thing, and I never would. I can't believe this. Aycliffe has claimed I am a wolf's head, and shall be punished. He put some reward signs up for me. He would offer 20 shillings. Father Quinel then told me that I should run away from Stromford, and that I shouldn't come back, because I could be killed. I listened to him, and went to go meet him, but he wasn't there. A boy named Cerdic was.

Cerdic told me to go out and run that way. I listened to him, but I realized he led me into a trap. He brought me there, and ran off himself, and I was surrounded by Aycliffe's men. I had no thoughts on what to do, but then I saw a small chance of what I could do. I ran around the mill, out of that area. I was so afraid, but I had to be brave. I scrimmaged for food, which I could only find acorns and bitter roots. I a town, and was happy, because I could be free. When I got closer, I realized that the town was in ruin. I heard a man singing at the church. I went inside, and I saw that he had a big belly. That meant he had food. I could still survive. 

When I went to go talk to the man, he asked me where I was from, and I was a little scared, because he was so tall. I told him I was from far away, and he asked my name. All I could say was, "Asta's son." He asked for my name, not a description, so I said that my name was Crispin. The man was a little mean to me, and he said a noble name like Crispin shouldn't be placed on the rubbish of you. He then forced me to become his serf, and all I could do was agree. He made me swear, and I did. After that, he tossed me a piece of bread in which I was happy for, and he told he was called Bear. I don't know what will be coming in this new journey as a serf of mine.

Charlemagne was born as Carolus Magnus on April 2, 742, in Aachen. Pepin the Short, Charlemagne's father, dethroned the final Merovingian king and was crowned by Pope Stephen ll. Aistulf attacked the city of Rome, and Charlemagne's father went to save the Pope, and Charlemagne accompanied him. When Pepin died, he left his kingdom to Charlemagne and his brother Carloman. Once Carloman died, there was no proof that Charlemagne had anything to do with the death of him. Pope pleaded for help, and Charlemagne conquered his father-in-law's land, confirming to keep Papal safe. King Charlemagne, leader of the Franks, attacked Saxony and Widukind, their leaders.  When Charlemagne's rear guard left Spain, many events took place, in which they have to do with the defeat of Roland. This is the most important epic of all in the Middle Ages. 
Charlemagne finished attacking Saxony, and enforced strict rules for them to follow. Pope Hadrian had died that day, and Pope Leo III was crowned the new pope. Pope Leo was attacked in Rome on religious duties, but when he came back to Charlemagne, the Great King sent him back to Rome. Charlemagne called a trial for Pope Leo III in Rome, and the Romans could not find him innocent or guilty. After Charles the Great majorly helped Pop Leo III, he was crowned holy emperor. In 813, Charlemagne gave the crown to his surviving son, Louis. The year following, Charlemagne died on January 28. Charlemagne was important in the Middle Ages, because he saved the Pope, and was crowned holy emperor.

My resolution would have to be cutting down on junk foods, and exercising. To do this, I would have to cut down on a lot of spicy types of food, but how I love them. I will have to give it up, which will really help me become more healthy. I will also have to cut down on sweets, because that is also something that makes people unhealthy. After that, I will have to take the next step, which is eating healthier foods. I will have to eat more vegetables and fruits. I will eat a wider variety, like broccoli, which is my favorite, carrots, apples, strawberries, another of my favorites, and more. This will help me have a better and healthier year. 
     The other part of my resolution is exercising. This sounds very easy, but as people know, exercising is very hard. I can get tired easily, and I need to bring up my strength to be able to make it into the tennis team at Computech this year. I will have to run at the least, twice a week. I will also do the arm movement way, which for me, will be playing the Just Dance games. Doing these will help me become healthier, and will boost height factors. I am going to follow my resolution, and I will surely complete my goals.