A Day in the Queen's Court
A Day in the Queen's Court
October 27th, 1348
Dearest Diary,
The morning began, as usual, with the chiming of the chapel bells. I hurried from my small chamber, pulling on my gown as I went. Today was a day for court, which meant attending to Queen Eleanor. Serving her is both an honor and a trial.
First, I assisted in dressing the Queen. Her gown was a magnificent velvet, embroidered with golden lilies. The jewels! Oh, the jewels! A heavy necklace of sapphires and a crown that sparkled like a thousand stars. My fingers trembled as I fastened the clasp. It is a great responsibility to handle such treasures.
After dressing, we attended mass in the royal chapel. The air was thick with incense, and the choir sang beautifully. I prayed for health and guidance, and for the Queen’s continued good favor. Afterwards, it was time for breakfast: a small meal of bread, cheese, and watered wine.
- Falconry:
- The art of training falcons to hunt.
- Intrigue:
- Secret planning or scheming.
- embroidered:
- Decorated with designs sewn onto fabric using needle and thread.
- incense:
- A substance that produces a sweet, fragrant smoke when it is burned, often used in religious ceremonies.
- petitions:
- Formal requests or appeals presented to someone in authority, such as a ruler.
- courtiers:
- Noble companions and advisers who attend a royal court alongside a king or queen.
Educational example text · Diary Entry
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Describe Eleanor's morning routine before attending to the Queen.
- 2What special garments and jewelry did Eleanor help the Queen put on?
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About this diary entry passage for Upper Elementary
“A Day in the Queen's Court” is a diary entry reading passage about Medieval Life, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (376 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.