Marvellous Medieval Mimicry

Tudors, Beauforts, Nevilles and Staffords – four families with whom Year 7 historians have become very familiar, thanks to a day spent learning about medieval life and customs with the Happening History team. Assuming the roles of lord of the manor, men at arms, ladies in waiting and a solitary priest, the girls dressed for the part and learnt enough detail about medieval underwear to last them a life-time! Linen or silk, shifts and kirtles, fashionable, pointy shoes and turned, sensible wooden pattens….If you wanted to show your wealth you chose scarlet red, purple or black – always the season’s colours.

Two pupils were startled to find themselves ‘married’ by the priest. Not exactly a heaven-made match but a marriage of convenience to unite the Tudors and the Beauforts; one big powerful household, supporters of the House of Lancaster and King Henry, against the Yorkist Nevilles and Staffords. In those days you could be legally married at 12, and probably had the first of many children at 13. Lady Margaret Beaufort celebrated marrying her Tudor husband with a feast of venison and swan (it could have been peacock, heron or beaver) on solid silver platters. The girls were shown a real sugar loaf; good job we know about dental hygiene today to avoid those rotten black-toothed smiles.

The Happening History team made them demonstrate their skills as would-be carpenters, tanners and apothecaries. Only a few groups showed enough raw talent and business acumen to be allowed to join guilds. The apothecaries were convincing in their role play with mortars and pestles, binding potions of honey, rosemary, thyme and amber, a remedy, they decided, for skin conditions. Mind you, it would take a bit more than that to cure the dreadful wounds and lacerations inflicted by the weaponry the Year 7 tried out. The group who chose to find about medieval surgery were positively green by the time they heard what happened and watched the leeches swimming round the jar. In contrast, Emma looked quite at ease with the leg armour, surprisingly flexible she announced. Katherine reckoned she could serious damage with her gauntlet. Alex discovered how hard it was to get the stitching of the leather apron right. Wearing a long dress was anew sport for Isabella, which she enjoyed. She also liked the way the team awarded points for each, frequent challenge.

Having to think on your feet in role, in costume; what a good way to learn – and to retain – facts about medieval life and customs.

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