The Days of the Tudors are continuing to be explored by Year 5 through many different mediums.
During Art, we have made Tudor houses in clay and glazed them using colours that they felt were in keeping with this period. The children also thought about the features that these homes would have had. They considered whether they wished their pieces to include a thatched roof and/or a wooden beam. We were very impressed by the lovely houses that they created and also were proud of how they worked together to ensure that they kept the art room tidy after we had all used it.
Within History and English, we have been considering many aspects of Tudor life through the lives of royalty, and also the jobs that the common people would have had to endure!
The children were tasked to consider how they would write a letter to Henry VIII and inform him of the reasons as to why his beloved Mary Rose had sunk – these are some extracts of their letters:
Alexander (5N) – Your Majesty,
I am writing to inform you my investigation on the tragic sinking of the dashing battle ready Mary Rose. The French will pay deeply for sinking the national treasure. It might not have been the French, but first, may I congratulate you on your victory over the French.
Ruby (5N) – Your Majesty,
I have heard your beloved Mary Rose has sunk. I have researched why this may have happened. I thought first that since it was a leading ship it had lots of important flags and jewels, that it was too heavy but when it went out there was a gust of wind in the middle of the fight, so the Mary Rose sunk.
They have also written a diary entry for Queen Elizabeth I, considering her feelings and thoughts after she had given her speech to the people who were preparing to fight, if the Spanish Armada had landed their forces:
Andreas (5B) – 9th August, 1588. Dear Diary,
I said a speech that really inspired my troops. My people.
I was quite frightened but I knew what I had to do, I stood up and said to my people…
I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king. And a King of England too.
James (5B) – I was nervous, being queen is not easy these days. But the troops all raised their poleaxes and cheered in agreement. The horrific Armada continues to terrorize my people and I must put a stop to this once and for all.
Sophia (5B) – I had to make a speech to inspire my people, this was no normal speech like I always do because if I fail, everyone dies. After making the speech, I felt proud and hopeful; oh so hopeful that the greedy Spanish will just leave England alone. If he was still here, I hope it would make my father proud.
We watched a PowerPoint that highlighted the worst jobs that the Tudors did
– The Headsman, an executioner who was hated by the common people and was tasked with beheading. We learned that it was not as easy as it looked and that Mary Queen of Scots had to have her head axed three times before it finally was not attached to her body!
– Within the royal kitchens there were over 200 members of staff, preparing and cooking meat over an open fire. The Spit Boy was the lowest job; he had to turn the meat around slowly and sat very close to the fire in a kitchen that had 6 fires alit. Lunch for the Tudors was served from 10am onwards!!
– You could also be a Gong Farmer, who would have the task of cleaning out the privy. You were only allowed to do this job between the hours of 9pm to 5am! It was considered to be a well paid job but people did not enjoy having you close to them!
We are intrigued to see what we will learn and research in our forthcoming classes, as we are finding this period of history engaging and full of surprises!
