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Historic Re-enactments
Historic Re-enactments
What is it?
Historic re-enactments are both educational and entertaining. Typically the re-enactments take the form of dressing up in a style from the past in order to focus on a particular theme or time period. These can take the form of participation events such as mock trials, industrial workplaces or Victorian schoolroom sessions through to observations of major rehearsed re-enactments such as battles. Battle re-enactments often take the form of combat demonstrations, which are generally performed by a company to members of the public and are loosely based around actual events with costumes, armour and weapons from the period in use.
What does it involve?
The level of involvement differs depending on whether you would like to get your pupils involved in the re-enactment or not. If you are to be involved in the re-enactment then you will be brief by a member of the re-enactment team on what is expected of the pupils prior to the event. Pupils will often dress in appropriate clothing for the time period they are re-enacting and will learn historical facts as the re-enactment takes place. If you are watching a re-enactment you will simply sit and observe the show whilst learning about the specific topic, often being narrated by members of the performing troupe.
Why do it and what are the benefits?
Watching re-enactments will help students to learn about a given time period. Having a visual of a specific topic is far better than simply reading about it. Better still actually involving students in the re-enactment will help all pupils recall facts especially helping kinaesthetic learners. There is also a lot of fun to be had in the dressing up!
What equipment do we need?
As with most activities where you visit an establishment to try it, the venue should provide the majority of the equipment you'll need to participate. You should always check beforehand though, as some places may ask you come dressed appropriately for the specific activity.
Who is it suitable for?
Watching an historic re-enactment is a suitable activity for children of all ages. If the pupils are to be partaking in the re-enactment then activity is only suitable for children in key stage 2 and upwards.
Costs?
The cost of a re-enactment varies depending on the amount of pupils you wish to take and whether you will be watching or partaking in the activity. The length of the re-enactment session will also have an impact on cost. Some venue such as castles and museums hold regular re-enactments so it may be worth looking at tying in your trip with a visit to an educational venue. Please research various providers in your area to find the best value offering.
Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)
Simply watching an historic re-enactment poses little to no risk however some students may be sensitive to particular realistic recreations of battle scenes. If you are partaking in a re-enactment it is important to listen to any safety briefings given by the organisation. As with any school trip it is important you take any student specific medication with you if the re-enactment takes place off the premises.
How do we include?
Many venues now cater for pupils with physical disabilities. Please consult specific venues in your area to find out more about what they are set up for.
Doing it abroad?
There is a very big historical re-enactment scene in the united states however they often focus on events relevant to American history so may not be relevant to the Curriculum.
Main website:
For more information on Historic re-enactments please click here.
It is a good idea to research venues in your area before the trip.
Venues with this Activity
The only museum of its kind in Europe
Based at Nottingham's old county gaol, the Museum explores the fascinating history of crime and justice through time.
Education
This unique museum houses three courtrooms, a prison and police station plus a collection of over 40,000 legal, police and prison-related historical objects and artefacts, including the HM Prison Service collection.
Built in 1675 following the Great Fire of Northampton, the Sessions House is often considered one of the finest provincial courthouses in England. The court finally moved in 1993, and the building stood empty until 2010 when a new visitor centre was opened. Of particular note is the plasterwork on the ceilings. The Sessions House is constructed of stone with baroque details.
The splendid Great Hall of Oakham Castle is one of the finest examples of late 12th century domestic architecture in England. Set in a tranquil green open space at the centre of Oakham, step back in time and enjoy this remarkable monument from Norman England.
The Castle has recently been awarded a substantial grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund for restorations and improvements.
A motte and bailey castle was built in about 1068 inside the south-west corner of Leicester, and became the centre of power for the first Norman overlord of the town, Hugh de Grentmaisnil. In 1107 Robert de Beaumont, first Earl of Leicester, established a college of canons (community of priests) at St Mary de Castro and probably rebuilt the castle defences in stone.
A medieval townhouse, located on the doorstep of York Minster
Once home to the Lord Mayor of York, the building was long-forgotten and was scheduled for demolition until York Archaeological Trust restored it to its former glory, giving you the chance to experience what it would be like to live over five hundred years ago.
Schools
The world famous JORVIK Viking Centre is a ‘must-see’ for visitors to the city of York and is one of the most popular visitor attractions in the UK.
Two Kings, One Day
Visit the location of the Battle of Bosworth. Re-live this famous turning point in British history - the death of a King and the birth of the all powerful Tudor dynasty!
Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre tells the dramatic story of the Battle of Bosworth on 22nd August 1485, which marked a major turning point in English history.
Be the King or Queen of the Castle
With its 3,000 year history, stunning location and panoramic views over the dramatic Yorkshire coastline, Scarborough Castle fully deserves its place as one of the finest tourist attractions in the North. It started life as an Iron Age Fort, was occupied by the Romans, became a Viking settlement and reached its heyday under Henry II.
The Last Survivor of the Battle of Jutland
The National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) and the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment have worked as partners to restore HMS Caroline, a lone survivor of the Battle of Jutland and living legend. With the help of a grant of £11.5m from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) the ship opened to all for the first time in June 2016.
What was HMS Caroline?
Wander the corridors of power and pleasure
With its 500 years of royal history Hampton Court Palace has something to offer everyone. Set in sixty acres of world famous gardens the Palace is a living tapestry of history from Henry VIII to George II.
Occurring on 6th July 1685, the Battle of Sedgemoor lasted barely 5 hours yet it had far-reaching consequences. Why did it occur, who was involved, what happened afterwards? The answers to these and other questions are provided through a series of displays and an interactive kiosk that shows a short film of a Battle re-enactment performed by the Sealed Knot.
A Collection of Royal Airforce Jewels
The Museum gives a great flavour of the atmosphere during the birth, life and death of this World War II RAF station. Our aim is to show a little of the station life, the aircrews, ground crews, administrators, WAAFS and medical staff who lived, loved, flew, serviced, played, worked and sometimes died at RAF Moreton-in-Marsh.
York Museums Trust’s award-winning* museums and art gallery offer inspiring, interactive and hands-on learning opportunities that directly support the National Curriculum.
We welcome school groups to York Art Gallery, York Castle Museum and the Yorkshire Museum & Gardens and offer help and advice to parties who wish to visit.
Westminster Abbey is Britain's foremost religious building and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located next to the Houses of Parliament and a short distance away from Buckingham Palace, the Abbey has been the site of many coronations, royal weddings, state burials and services.
Both motorsports and aviation are celebrated at the Brooklands Museum.
20 miles south west of central London, with its famous banked corners Brooklands was at the centre of British motorsport before the Second World War. It was the world's first purpose built motor racing circuit.
When you bring your school to the museum you can take part in one of our lively, informative and hands on sessions. All of our sessions are delivered by a member of our Education Team and allow all students to handle original museum artifacts.
From 2014 we will offer our World War One “Kitchener’s Boys” experience. The project forms part of Fort Amherst`s commemoration of the Great War and recognises the role played by Fort Amherst & the Great Lines in training many thousands of Royal Engineers prior to their dispatch to the Front Line throughout the War.
Glorious house, surrounded by gardens, moorland and deer park
Welcome to Lyme Park. Nestling on the edge of the Peak District, Lyme Park was once home to the Legh family and, in its heyday a great sporting estate.
With splendour, colour and glorious craftsmanship, enter the world of Scotland's Renaissance Kings & Queens
Step into a world of plots, passion, intrigue and high fashion with the people of the palace.
Stirling Castle is a great symbol of Scottish independence & a source of national pride. Knights, nobles and foreign ambassadors once flocked to the Royal Court at Stirling Castle to revel in the castle's grandeur.
Which Side Will You Choose?
It was Britain's deadliest conflict and one which shaped our modern world. Why did brother take up arms against brother and how did a once all-powerful monarch lose his head to the axeman?
Enjoy a great day out in Warwickshire at Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden. One of the largest historic attractions in the West Midlands, the whole family will enjoy exploring the spectacular castle ruins.
The ruins are best known as the home of Robert Dudley, the great love of Queen Elizabeth I. Dudley created an ornate palace here to impress his Queen in 1575.
The Museum was founded in 1981. Funded by Greater Manchester Police, it not only collects and preserves archive material and objects relating to the history of policing in the Greater Manchester area, but acts as an important resource for community engagement, where visitors can talk to staff and volunteers about policing.
There have always been ideas worth fighting for. Join a march through time following Britain's struggle for democracy over two centuries
The main story of the museum is told in two purpose built galleries located on the first and second floor. The galleries have been divided into seven themes and roughly follow a chronological order over the last 200 years. The story starts with the Peterloo Massacre of 1819 and ends in the present day.
Relive the legend of Robin Hood, Nottingham's legendary favourite son
Welcome to Nottingham Castle - a magnificent 17th century ducal mansion built on the site of the original Medieval Castle - now the city's main museum and art gallery.
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