This week, Year 7 swapped the comforts of modern civilisation such as radiators, Wi-Fi and snacks not made from grain they had threshed themselves for a full day of hands-on medieval life at Tatton Park. Their mission was to consolidate everything they had learned in the classroom by experiencing medieval life first-hand (minus the plague, thankfully).
Students took part in a range of traditional activities, including archery, where they quickly discovered that longbows are far heavier than they appear. Many Year 7 pupils successfully fired arrows in roughly the direction they intended, which in medieval terms certainly counts as a success.
The medieval court offered a lively glimpse into how justice was delivered in the period, with swift and enthusiastic judgements that gave students a memorable insight into life in medieval society.
Year 7 then turned their attention to house building, medieval style. Wattle walls were carefully woven before the real highlight began: applying daub. For those unfamiliar, daub is a mixture of mud, straw and other natural materials used to seal the walls. Students approached the task with great enthusiasm, producing wall panels that, while unlikely to meet modern building regulations, possessed plenty of rustic charm.
The day concluded with threshing and milling, giving students the opportunity to appreciate the hard work required to produce flour and bread in the medieval period. Armed with flails, they enthusiastically separated wheat from chaff and gained a new respect for the labour of medieval peasants.
A wonderful and memorable day was had by all, bringing history vividly to life beyond the classroom.
Miss Jenkinson