On Tuesday 23 June the Lower Sixth Historians embarked on a scorching day of fun and enlightenment at the Chalke Valley History Festival. Deborah, Hermione, Eve and Ai braved the Mediterranean conditions of Wiltshire and embraced every opportunity laid on at the festival.
The students were able to explore a wide range of living history exhibits, talking to reenactors from all periods of History. Ancient Britons rubbed shoulders with World War Two pilots, English Civil War musketeers, Medieval crafts people and Ancient Greeks. All were happy to talk about their passion projects – our students learned more about the value of nutmeg in the ancient world than they could have ever imagined – and all were happy to give the girls the chance to get their hands on artefacts and reconstructions of historical clothing, tools, weapons and transport.
In between these experiences, the students also attended lectures from top historians on topics such as life for Medieval women, the birth of youth culture during the Cold War, the myths of the American Revolution, the truth behind the death of Hitler, family rivalry between the Tudors and the Stuarts and the deadly conflict between the Assassins and the Knights Templars.
All of this took place under the blazing sunshine of a perfect June day, in a fun festival atmosphere, hopefully inspiring our historians with their future studies.
Mr Adrian Stoten, Teacher of History
