Mystress Alys is a farmer’s wife, living in South Devon during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The children hear all about her visit to the market in the town and what life in the countryside is like. Throughout the day, differences in the lives of the rich and the poor are highlighted, and subjects covered include food, hygiene, merchants and trade. Above all, the day provides a real insight into the life of an ordinary Tudor woman, illustrated with artefacts and brought to life with anecdotes.
Activities include:
Making Pomanders, Archery Practice, Tudor Cookery, Working with Wool, Playing Games and eating the food prepared earlier. If time allows, Mystress Alys also demonstrates how to swaddle a baby.
This day supports Unit 8 of QCA History Schemes of Work - Key stage 2
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Feedback from teachers:
‘Thank you Alison for a wonderfully well-organised day.’
‘(The day was) fantastic, as always…super ‘easy to listen to’ language with all the technical bits included - very informative…all activities worked well…providing pupils with opportunities that the class teacher couldn’t do…tasting recipes, and generally having fun while they learn.’
‘Great variety of activities - daily life, cooking, art, games, sport…something for everyone.’
‘Pitched exactly right for the children and really helpful for teacher subject knowledge. It brings to life what we have learned in the classroom in a safe environment with no travelling or risk assessments. It reinforces what they have learned and they learn some new and interesting facts as well. Thank you for a super day.’
‘Excellent Tudor artefacts…The children engaged in all activities with enthusiasm. Making the jumbles and pomanders were popular. Archery was also a favourite activity of many.’
‘It provides a completely different learning experience. The children feel they are learning from a ‘Tudor’ and especially enjoy the active learning aspects (cooking, archery, games).’
‘Thank you so much for an interesting day that was well paced and organised. We look forward to repeating it next year.’