Medieval Program

Program Outline

Explore everyday life in medieval Euroope.

Activities are designed for groups of 20-40 students.

Durations of between 45-60 minutes are recommended.

MEDIEVAL HISTORY

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Arms and Armour

Students get out of their seats to wear a variety of different types of armour and helmets. We display and discuss the use of medieval weapons - showing the evolution the art of war. Students are given the opportunity to go in to a battle! The class is divided against itself! Some students form a shield wall to defend against their classmates who are deadly archers (armed with many dozens of tennis balls)! This session explores medieval warfare from the time of Vikings to the use of gunpowder.

*please note, if you are interested in more detail on the subject of medieval warfare, we strongly suggest that rather than choosing Arms and Armour as a single activity, you book us for both Early Medieval Warfare and Age of Chivalry activities (see below).

Early Medieval Warfare

Students get out of their seats to wear a variety of different types of armour and helmets. An exploration of the art of controlled violence in the early middle ages (800 CE to 1300CE), looking at weapons and armour in the age of Maille (Chain Mail). The session culminates in our famous shield wall activity (see Arms and Amour above).

Both a Standard classroom and outdoor space are required for this activity.

Age of Chivalry

Students handle and wear a complete suit of late medieval armour. Age of Chivalry explores the rise of medieval knight, what armour they wore and the weapons they used. A basic training in the art of using a medieval longsword is provided. Volunteers use protective gear and rubber longswords to safely explore the subtle art of winning an duel and staying alive!

Standard classroom is appropriate for this activity though double room/larger space would be better.

All replica costumes, armour, demonstration weapons, and day to day household items are reconstructed based upon multiple primary and secondary historical sources.
All weapons used by the students are made of foam. These weapons are made safe to use by children.
We encourage still photography in these sessions, we do however ask that video is not taken by students or teachers.

Please contact us for a more detailed description of all our activities, and to discuss the allocation of activity spaces to get the most out of your history incursion.

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Music and Dance

A live demonstration of medieval instruments and dancing! Performances including a wide range of instrument including, gemshorns, and lyre with either hurdy-gurdy or bagpipes. Student volunteers are taught to play authentic instruments in a medieval band with the presenter. All students are taught a fun but simple medieval dance. Students identify, explore and analyse the role that music played in world before the iPOD where the only music you had was the music you made!

Double classroom or larger space is appropriate for this activity. All music is performed live.

Harm and Healing

What were the punishments to fit the crime? We cover some of the gruesome punishments seen in medieval times. Teachers are invited to choose their favourite students to take a turn in the pillory! How did they cure illness – including the BLACK DEATH? We demonstrate the art of healing and bring out our pet leaches for students to look at along with fantastical medieval surgical equipment. Feeling unwell yet? We outline medieval concept of ‘the humours’ and how your urine can be used to diagnose your illness!

Standard classroom is appropriate for this activity.

Games

Students play the games that amused the nobles and villeins! All students are taught the chasing game of Tierce, the ancient game of Kubb (an interesting game of skill, strategy and team work originating with the Vikings) and a variety of simple pastimes and out of your seat tavern games.

Large grassed area (A double classroom in case of poor weather)

Program Actitivies

Costume and Lifestyle

Medieval society comes alive as students partake in their own fashion parade, modelling a range of costumes we bring. The nitty gritty day to day of being a medieval person is explored through costume, samples of materials and basic house hold items that any medieval person would be familiar with.
Standard classroom is appropriate for this activity.