Investigating - Medieval Castles in Scotland

1 PLACESI nvestigatingMedieval Castlesin ScotlandChildren find Castles exciting andmany of the most impressiveremains are in the care of HistoricScotland. Some occupy dramaticsites, others still display formidabledefences, but even the most ruinoushelp to bring history alive. Thisresource looks at Castles built inScotland between the 12th 16thcenturies. It aims to help teachersgain confidence in using Castles withpupils of all castle , DumfriesshireMedieval Castles in Scotland2 HISTORIC SCOTLANDHow to use thisresourceThis resource is aimed at teachersand designed to link Historic Scotlandsites with classroom studies focussingon Castles built in Scotland betweenthe 12th 16th These notes are notintended to becopied and distributed to resource aims to provide.

2 A clear indication of how visits tohistoric sites can bring to life studiesabout Medieval Castles and providesupport for the 5 14 NationalGuidelines information on the historicalbackground of Medieval Castles forthe non-specialist teacher a selection of sites which bestillustrate different periods the past to lifeVisits to historic sites fire theimagination and inspire learning. Pupilscan stand on the site of a castle andexperience the strategic position itholds. They can gain an understandingof what it might have been like to livein a castle in peacetime and to defenda castle during an list of Castles in the care ofHistoric Scotland on page 23 gives abrief description of each and isintended to help you choose a site tovisit which best supports your topic.

3 Itis also intended to raise awareness ofimportant but lesser-known sites thatmay be on your to book a visitHistoric Scotland operates a year-round free admission scheme foreducational visits (except EdinburghCastle and Stirling castle where acharge is levied during May Augustinclusive). To find out how to book aclass visit please visit the educationpages on the Historic Scotlandwebsite: telephone 0131 668 to use this resourceP3-4 Integrating a visit with aclassroom study P5 Supporting learning and teachingP9 Timeline: the rise andfall of Medieval castlesin ScotlandP10 Medieval Castles inScotland: backgroundinformationP13 castle lifeP18 castle warfareP22 Map of selected sites in the care of Historic ScotlandPupils at Stirling castle build a siegeengine to attack the castle wallMedieval Castles in Scotland3 HISTORIC SCOTLANDI ntegrating a visit withclassroom studies Educational visits have the greatest value if they arebuilt into the original planning of a topic.

4 Werecommend you plan your visit somewhere in themiddle, giving your pupils time to become familiarisedwith why Castles were built, who lived in them and whatlife was way to introduce a project on Castles is toassemble raw materials and objects to illustrate castlelife and to demonstrate how it differs from today. Thematerials in the table below are easily this stage you may also like to: Familiarise pupils with words to do with castle life byasking them to compile an illustrated dictionary ofcastle words Look at maps of the area around the castle you aregoing to visit. Discuss with pupils why they thinkcastles were built in that location Talk about what it must have been like to live in acastle in the Middle Ages Discuss what important events took place there Discuss with pupils what kind of weapons would havebeen used and what the fighting would have been (use old shoes from charity shops)Fleece (from farms or wire fences alongside fields)Heather and rushesLogs Oats and barleyHerbs (fennel, garlic, rosemary, borage, mint, parsley) andspices (root ginger, peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, cloves and nutmeg)Honey Fruit and vegetables (apples, cherries, crab apples, pears,almonds, leeks, onions and cabbages)Pottery shards (your local museum or archaeological unitmay allow you to borrow some)

5 HorseshoesCandles Talk was widely used in the Middle Ages for everydaypurposes and as protection from weather and fire. (Wetleather was used to protect vulnerable parts of timbercastles from attack by fire)Spinning and weavingHow floors were covered to keep down mud and dust, buttrapped food thrown down for dogs, spilt beer (ale) andanimal messHow fires provided hot water, heat for cooking and warmthHow cereals were used to brew ale and to make substantialmeals such as porridge and breadHow food was flavouredHow food and drink was sweetenedWhat fruit and vegetables were available in the Middle AgesHow clay was used to make a wide variety of everyday objectsHow horses were valuable and used in battle, inentertainment (tournaments and the hunt)

6 , and to carrymessengersHow Castles were lit (candles made of beeswax wereexpensive so lights made from rushes [rush-lights] werewidely used) Medieval Castles in Scotland4 HISTORIC SCOTLANDB efore the visit Log on to the Historic Scotlandwebsite: for more informationabout your chosen site and any site-specific or relevant themed resourcematerial available. Many sites alsooffer programmes of curriculumlinked on-site activities. If possible, make a free planningvisit before taking a class to yourchosen site so that you familiariseyourself with the site and theevidence it offers. To book a freeplanning visit to Edinburgh or StirlingCastles telephone 0131 668 visits to other sites can bebooked direct with the on siteYour pupils task should be to look forphysical evidence of the history of thecastle.

7 Useful starting points are: what materials were used toconstruct it? what does the building tell us aboutthe people who lived there? what evidence is there for everydaylife eg cooking, heating, toilets andstorage? how was the castle defended underattack? is there any evidence to show thatthe castle was besieged? have any changes been made to thecastle since it was built and why? who looks after the castle today?As pupils explore the building, theycan compile an evidence record inwords and pictures about the site. Theaim of the evidence record should beto encourage development ofobservational, descriptive andrecording skills rather than to look foranswers to specific questions whichthey can equally well find out frombooks in the evidence record can ask pupils touse the headings I see , I hear , and Ifeel at chosen locations, to look forclues to explain what went on at thesite, and to look for evidence of castlelife, development and can record by.

8 Taking notes of factual information making quick diagrams of specificdetails taking photographs of significantfeatures or views using tape-recorders to describewhat they see, hear, feel and for follow-up work Following the visit your pupils shouldpool their findings to form a broadview of what it would have been like tolive in a castle both in peacetime andunder siege. Pupils can be asked tolook at the clues and work out whatthey definitely know and what they canreasonably can form the basis for a widerange of language and expressive artsactivities, such as role-play and drama,compiling their own guidebook orleaflet, or interviewing local historians/museum curators. These activities can: develop skills and techniques inlanguage and the expressive arts consolidate and expand knowledgeand understanding about people inthe past help to develop informed attitudesabout the ways in which our heritageis work could include: cooking simple dishes adapted fromauthentic recipes,(see box, left).

9 Pottage You will need:2 handfuls of oatmeal; honeyMethod1 Soak the oatmealovernight in water2 The next day simmergently in a saucepan 3 Add honey to will need:10 fingers of toast;2 tbsps of clear honey;a small pinch of groundblack pepper;a large pinch of groundginger;a large pinch ofcinnamon;pine nuts. Method1 Put the honey andspices into a small panand heat gently for 3 to4 minutes2 Pour the honey mixtureon to the toast fingersand spread 3 Decorate each toastfinger with pine Studies: TechnologyThe following examples show how a topic on medievalcastles might be enhanced through activities related totechnological Castles in Scotland5 HISTORIC SCOTLANDS upporting learning and teachingThis resource complements the Social Subjects andTechnology components of the 5 14 EnvironmentalStudies focuses mainly on the attainment outcome People inthe pastat levels A D.

10 The suggested activities can beeasily adapted for all levels of pupils. The resource alsosuggests ways in which Medieval Castles can be linkedto Education for Citizenship and provides activitysuggestions to support learning both in, and through,the Expressive Arts (Art and Design, Drama and Music). Environmental Studies Social Subjects:People in the pastKnowledge and Understanding StrandsPeople, events & societiesChange, continuity, cause & effectTime & historical sequenceNature of historical evidenceTeaching ActivitiesUse a wide range of resources includingvisits to Castles to look for physicalevidenceUse maps to study the position ofcastlesLook at how Castles have developedover timeCompare site-based evidence with othersources eg paintings and illustrationsLearning OutcomesKnow about castle life & events linked tocastlesUnderstand why Castles were built incertain places.