As part of Unit two in Social Studies, the children in year six study life in medieval times.  Many interesting pieces of information are acquired and all come together very well during a living history theme day where all the children come dressed in medieval costumes and undertake a day of medieval instruction, feasting and merrymaking.  

This year four members of the Knights Guild of Wessex and Mercia – Lord Blair, Sir Paul, Brother Jad and Brother Marshal brought the 12th century to life for the year six classes.
Brother Jad began the day by instructing the children in the medieval practice of heraldry.  Shields were the main means of identification during a battle but their design had to follow some very strict rules

Important people in medieval times had their own seal.  These were very valuable and had to be looked after very carefully by their owners.  There were two main reasons for this.  

Firstly, the seal provided proof that the letter received had actually come from the person who was supposed to have sent it and secondly, it showed if a message had been tampered with en route.  

During calligraphy lessons, on our medieval day, the children not only learned about illuminated letters and medieval writing but about the security of the seal as well.

Medieval weapons feature in many gruesome tales told of battles waged in the feudal age.  

For most people engaged in battle, their weapons began their lives as farm implements and were adapted for use when farmers were forced to go into battle in the defence of their feudal lord.  Few farmers who went off to battle actually returned.

Even the knights, who wore heavy chain mail and armour to protect them, stood little chance of surviving the horror of a medieval battlefield.

Not everything about the 12th century was violent.  Music and dance were important forms of entertainment in medieval times.  Lord Blair instructed the children in the finer arts of music and dance.  

The children learned about minstrels, lutes and hurdy gurdies and practised some fine medieval dancing.

Banquets were very ceremonial occasions.  Lord Blair instructed the children in the finer points of attending a medieval banquet.  

The children learned to pay courtesy to the King table and to the lord of the manor.

When it appeared some medieval thievery had occurred Lord Blair held court and the thief underwent a trial by ordeal.

In medieval times, as in modern times, games provided a popular diversion from the difficulties of everyday life.  As befitted the times, many of these games were quite violent.  

However, the children played ninepins, blind man’s bluff and hide the slipper, just as children in medieval times would have done.  The tug of war between the two rival groups was conducted with great enthusiasm on the school oval.

A great day was had by all and the children were a credit to the school.

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