Key Stage 3: Music

Key stage 3 music will enable you to understand 15th century music. This was performed live at royal courts, in churches and cathedrals and in everyday life in the open air. Remember there were no recording devices five hundred years ago: all performances of music, drama, dance & speech were to live audiences, preferably ones that paid the performers. You can still see a variety of street performers today in cities and towns who invite donations for their work.

Here is a brief summary of music in the 15th century.

two musicians in medieval dress one playing a single drone bagpipe, the other a shawm.
Single-drone bagpipe & shawm. 14th-century manuscript illumination (detail)
from Boethius, De Arithmetica. Naples, Biblioteca Nazionale, MS V.A.14, fol. 47r.

Musical styles were as varied then as now: here are two contrasting styles:

Your task

Compose lyrics to music in any style you choose (rap, plainsong, classical etc) which tells a story from the life of Richard.

Some examples of medieval songs are on this webpage.

OR

Create an illustrated guide to musical instruments in use during the 15th century.