North York Moors National Park Education Service
Activities for KS 2 groups
The Tudors at Danby Castle
This session involves a circular walk through the Esk Valley
including a visit to Danby Castle, once home to Katherine Parr,
sixth wife of Henry VIII. Children learn how the landscape would
have looked in Tudor times and discover what life might have
been like at the castle 400 years ago. Includes trying on items
from Tudor costumes.
See also ‘Tudor Portraits’.
Duration:
3 hours (charged at the ¾ day rate to include
admission fee for the castle)
Age Range: Years 5 and 6 (age 9-11)
Location:
The Moors National Park Centre
Main Curriculum links: History – the Tudors
Key Learning Objectives
Children should learn…
History
● about Henry VIII and Katherine Parr
● about the everyday lives of people from different
sections of Tudor society
● how the present landscape was used in Tudor
times;
Learning Outcomes
All children will be able to: (level 3)
● name Henry VIII’s sixth wife
● give examples of food eaten during Tudor times
● describe an item of Tudor clothing
Most children will be able to: (level 4)
● relate a local story about how Henry VIII met Katherine Parr
● identify foods eaten by rich and poor people in Tudor times
● describe different types of clothing worn by rich and poor
people in Tudor times
Some children will be able to: (level 5)
● name several items of Tudor costumes
● describe why different types of clothes were worn by rich and
poor people in Tudor times
● explain how the land around Danby was used in Tudor times
and compare with present day landuse.
Assessment for Learning
We assess learning using a variety of techniques appropriate to the activity such as: questioning, questioning
games, observing how well children are performing tasks, checking results, quizzes and feedback forms.
Opportunities for Extending Learning Before and After this Activity
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Before this activity - familiarise children with the life of Henry VIII and his wives.
The ‘Teaching Ideas’ website www.teachingideas.co.uk/history/contents_tudors.htm provides resources
about the Tudors including line drawings of Tudor characters. Children could colour these in and label
different items of clothing.
The Historic Royal Palaces website www.hrp.org.uk/Learning/ provides resources for teachers
including a short video of Katherine Parr being dressed for her marriage to Henry VIII.
www.historyonthenet.com/Tudors/tudorsmain.htm provides a range of resources about Tudor society,
costumes and food.