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Play this game recently? | Adjudicate a series of court cases that explore the function and purpose of law in in the Middle Ages.In Stupor Mundi students will take the role of members of the High Court (Haute Cour), of the Kingdom of Jerusalem and debate a series of legal cases that illuminate the social world of the Crusader States in the 13th century. The game takes place in the Kingdom of Jerusalem in 1228-1229, during what would become known as the Sixth Crusade, which serves as a backdrop for exploring contentious legal issues of the time. The game begins as Frederick II, called Stupor Mundi, or ‘Wonder of the World,’ because of his immense wealth, political power, and intellect, arrives in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Frederick holds the title of the King of Sicily, King of Germany, and Holy Roman Emperor, and had recently become King of Jerusalem through marriage. When Frederick arrives in the Kingdom, he engages in a series of legal battles with powerful nobles of the Kingdom, most notably John of Ibelin. The game uses these debates to explore contested notions of the purpose of law and the power of the monarch in the High Middle Ages, and through these deliberations, teaches students about life in the first overseas European proto-colonies. |
Details
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Using the Game
Class Size and Scalability Class Time |
GAME MATERIALS
Reacting Consortium members can download all game materials below. You will be asked to sign in before downloading.
Gamebook Students need a Gamebook, which includes directions, resources, and historical context. | Instructor's Manual The Instructor's Manual includes guidance for assigning roles, presenting historical context, assignments, activities and discussion topics, and more. | Role Sheets and Handouts Students also need a Role Sheet, which contains biographical information, role-specific resources or assignments, and their character's secret victory objectives. |
Additional Resources
Joshua C. Birk
Joshua Birk is a Professor of History at Smith College who specializes in political history and cultural history across religious boundaries in the medieval Mediterranean world. He has written about interactions between Muslim and Christians in Sicily and the Eastern Mediterranean. He spends much of his spare time playing board games and roleplaying games, which led him to enthusiastically embrace the Reacting pedagogy.
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Members can contact game authors directly using the email listed on the BLORG if they have questions about using the game. We also invite instructors join our Facebook Faculty Lounge, where you'll find a wonderful community eager to help and answer questions about all of our games!
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