Year 6 students enjoyed learning about Medieval times in Term 2 and to complete the unit, they had an exciting Medieval Day with the kids all dressing up beautifully in medieval costume and taking part in activities, a luncheon and games for the day. Here's some photos of our day.

Our Medieval Day in 2000 was the highlight of term 2. Having studied many aspects of medieval culture during the term, the children came dressed in medieval costume ready for a day filled with all things medieval.  A great deal of thought went into making their costumes authentic, rather than "showy". The results were excellent as you can see by our photos.

Heraldry played an important in the lives of medieval knights. Banners and shields were carried into battle and colours and crests were worn by knights and their horses.  Their purpose was so that the people in battle knew who to attack and who to protect. During medieval day 2000, the children learned about shields and colours and all made up their own following the prescripture rules of heraldry.

Calligraphy – Writing was not commonly done by ordinary people. Scribes and men of the church did most of the writing that was done. It became a real art form with the illuminated letters used to begin paragraphs being ornate and colourful.  Seals were used to prove the authenticy of a document. On medieval day 2000 the children used illuminated first letters and calligraphy to write their names. Each was stamped with red wax and a seal of the children’s choice was applied.

Medieval times were often very violent. One of the noblest of professions was that of a knight. Boys wishing to become knights would start their training at the age of 8 by becoming a page.  At about the age of 12 they would graduate to the next step, that of a squire and at about the age of 20 they would become fully fledged Knights ready to risk their lives in battle. 

Many were killed. Ordinary people who went into battle had none of the weapons, armour or training of knights. On Medieval Day 2000 the children saw examples of the kinds of weapons and armour used by knights. They also saw ordinary peasant’s weapons, such things as scythes, axes, hammers and daggers etc. In medieval times, lords gave dinners for vassals/peasants on certain feast days, at planting time and when the harvest was complete. These dinners were very special for the peasants. On Medieval Day 2000 the children enjoyed a banquet lunch together learning much in the process about the traditions and customs of dining in that era.

Feast days were joyous occasions for peasants in medieval times. Not only did they dine at their lord’s expense but they also took part in fun activities quite different from the drudgery of their normal work..  They would usually gather in the church for physical contests such as wrestling and jumping matches, shooting with bows and arrows and tugs of war. On Medieval Day 2000 we played medieval bowling, village football and blind mans bluff and several tugs of war. What a day we had!!!

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