Friday Headlines
the weekly newsletter from EHS
A Journey Back in Time
25 November 2022
On a very damp and cold Monday morning Year 4 put on their hats and coats. Clutching packed lunches, the year group of very excited girls and teaching staff boarded the coach and mini bus bound for Selly Manor.
The medieval hall of Minworth Greaves was an ideal place for us to begin our journey back in time to experience Tudor life. The girls dressed in Tudor style and thoroughly enjoyed playing games that children would have played at that time, some of which are still played today.
We were introduced to our guides for the day and then began our Selly Manor adventure. First, we learned all about how Tudor houses were constructed, including the less than pleasant ingredients contained in the daub used to cover the walls.
In the Tudor kitchen, the girls particularly enjoyed learning how the Tudors prepared, cooked and preserved their food. The room was dominated by a huge fireplace complete with cauldron and a spit, which was rotated by a Tudor invention called a spit jack. We were shown a Settle Table, which could be used as a chair, a cupboard, a kitchen table and sometimes even a bed. We also had the chance to handle various herbs and spices that would have been used to flavour the food of rich Tudors.
After lunch it was back to the Manor to explore Tudor bedrooms and find out what a chamber pot was for. The girls were able to put on various pieces of Tudor armour and had to try to find Selly Manor’s secret room. Finally, we visited the gift shop and even had time to sing some Christmas carols to the Selly Manor staff.
Having learned a lot about Tudor life, we got back on the coach and travelled back to school and the 21st century.
