The Tudors
Hatfield is famous as the place where Elizabeth I spent much of her youth and where she received the news 450 years ago that she was to be Queen of England. Hatfield House is offering an experience to bring the Tudor period alive, culminating in an audience with Elizabeth’s father, King Henry VIII. Particularly suitable for Key Stages 2 and 3, although students of all ages will find the programme useful.
Characters
Children are met in their class groups and taken by their guide to the Old Palace Green where they are shown the outside of the Tudor building. This is an opportunity to talk about the differences in the lives of rich and poor people in Tudor times. Children are taught about daily life in Tudor society, including education, food and drink of the period. They then move to the West Garden.
The guide will talk about life at Court and the comforts of rich Tudors and the stone tableau of the Elizabethan Court, which includes the Queen and Raleigh and is used to discuss costume, trade and travel. The Tudor Knot Garden and an ancient mulberry tree in this area lead to the discovery of the history of the Garden. This is an important part of the day, as it will prepare the children to look and listen carefully to the presentations to follow. The action moves to the Upper and Lower Solar rooms in the Old Palace where the date is 1537. They will meet Princess Elizabeth’s nurse and a court musician in period costume. These characters prepare the children for an audience with King Henry VIII in the Hall where they will sing to entertain him.
Henry will talk to the children about his previous marriages, his hopes for the future and the religious situation at the time. Finally, they meet Nicholas, the Tudor armourer, to learn about a soldier’s daily life and the skills of the fighting men of the age.
Outside
At the end of the formal programme there is free time to explore the Park. We recommend a walk up to the Queen Elizabeth Oak Field where Elizabeth I received the news of her accession to the English throne. Students will gain a sense of walking in her footsteps past the ancient oak trees on the way.
For more information, please email info@living-history.co.uk for details.
The two-hour sessions start at:
9.30 or 9.55, 10.15, 10.30, 11.45, 12.30 & 12.35.
2012 Dates for Tudor Living History
Thursdays & Fridays only. Not January, August or December.
- February: 9,10
- March:1,2,7,8,15,16,22,23
- April: 26,27
- May: 2,3,17,18,24,25,31
- June: 1,14,15,27,28
- July: 5,6
- September: 27,28
- October: 4,5,11,12
- November: 1,2,8,9,29,30
2013 Dates for Tudor Living History
Thursdays & Fridays only. Not January, August or December.
- February: 7,8,28
- March: 1,7,8,14,15,21,22
- April: 25,26
- May: 2,3,16,17,23,24
- June: 6,7,13,14,27,28
- July: 4,5,11,12
- September: 26,27
- October: 3,4,10,11,31
- November: 1,7,8,28,29
We can only accept two classes for each start time.
The balance, as per the invoice, is due two weeks before the visit. Cheques should be made payable to ’Living History at Hatfield House’ and sent to ‘Old Palace Cottage, Hatfield Park, Hatfield, Herts AL9 5NE’.
The maximum class size is 30 and the minimum fee for a session £125 – equivalent to 22 children.
For more information, fill out the booking form