The reign of the Stuart kings of England makes for a fascinating study day, or we can deliver a full-day workshop on each of the three separate topics.
Gunpowder Plot
Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder treason and plot,
I know of no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, ’twas his intent
To blow up the King and Parli’ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below
To prove old England’s overthrow;
By God’s providence he was catch’d
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holla boys, holla boys, let the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!
And what should we do with him? Burn him!
We are all familiar with Guy Fawkes night on November 5th, but why is it a national day of celebration, some 400 years after the event? Find out about Guy Fawkes, his beliefs, his fellow conspirators, the details of the plot to blow up Parliament, and what happened afterwards.
Witchcraft
A visit to your schoool from Matthew Hopkins, the ‘Witchfinder-General’, and an historical witch, makes for a fascinating and informative day.
Topics covered:
- What is meant by the word ‘witch’?
- How old is witchcraft?
- Witches in the Bible
- Malleus Malleficarum
- The Discoverie of Witches
- Hopkins’ reign of terror
- Salem
- Modern beliefs, neo-paganism and recent cases of witchcraft
The English Civil War
The ‘Great Rebellion’ or ‘The War of the Three Kingdoms’
Understand the reasons for the conflict fought between 1642 and 1651. Learn about ‘Roundheads and Cavaliers’, King Charles I and Oliver Cromwell, equipment and tactics, the great battles, what happened to King Charles and his son, the ‘Rump’ Parliament, the establishment of the Commonwealth of England, the ‘Interregnum’, and finally the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660.
