Castles and Courts

Ideal for Key Stage 1 and 2 pupils. Castles and Courts looks at the Castle as a place for the royalty and nobility of medieval times, by looking at medieval food and feasts.

The workshop takes place in the Harbottle Suite in the Black Gate. This is an indoor classroom with two toilets (one accessible) and heating. It lasts approximately 90 minutes, though this can be varied if necessary to fit your needs.

Activities include:

• Identifying some of the different jobs that people did in Castles and what kind of people lived in them

• A game identifying what food was available in medieval times, and what was eaten by the rich and the poor

• A craft activity using (non-toxic) playdoh to create some medieval food suitable for a feast

• A roleplaying activity where the children take on different roles in a medieval feast, from King to jester, and act out the ceremonies of a typical formal feast

Alternative or extra activities might include:

• Learning a simple medieval circle dance to recorded music

• A craft activity where the children design and create their own coat of arms

Learning Outcomes:

Significant historical events, people and places in their own locality; events beyond living memory that are significant nationally or globally; a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066; a local history study, art and design KS1, reflective learning, team working, effective participation, independent enquiry, communication, fun and enjoyment with others