Food & Feasts in Tudor Times

Children will discover the differences between the elaborate foods of the Tudor rich and the plain foods eaten by the Tudor poor. Pupils will learn about the preparations undertaken for the Tudor Banquet and the table manners that governed these lavish occasions.

They will have a guided tour of the 1574 Turret House which was built as a banqueting house with its authentic reproduction of a Tudor banquet.

Children will have the chance to explore the tastes and smells of the Tudor table with the opportunity to try some of the herbs, spices and fruits used to flavour Tudor cooking. Pupils will finish the session by creating their own marzipan fruits to take back to school.
This session is aimed at Key Stage 2 pupils and supports the History programme of study and Unit 8 of QCA  Scheme of Work.: What were the differences between the lives of rich and poor people in Tudor times?

Curriculum Links
This session is aimed at Key Stage 2 pupils and supports the History programme of study and Unit 8 of QCA  Scheme of Work.: What were the differences between the lives of rich and poor people in Tudor times?

History 2: Knowledge and Understanding of events, people and changes in the past.

Pupils will investigate the different types of food eaten by the Tudors, gaining an understanding of the differences between the food eaten by the rich and poor.

Session Outline

  • This session will be based on the following activities :
  • A tour of the Manor Lodge site to investigate how food was stored and prepared
  • Looking at examples of Tudor menus pupils will recreate their own banquet menu using parchment paper
  • Tudor herbs, spices and fruit taste test– pupils will have the  opportunity to taste some of the flavours commonly used in  Tudor cooking
  • An Introduction to Tudor table manners: pupils will investigate the importance of hygiene at the Tudor table and will have the opportunity to create a set of rules to be followed while eating at the school canteen
  • Making marzipan fruit to take back to the classroom
  • Follow up work is provided for the session

THIS SESSION INCLUDES WORKING WITH MARZIPAN WHICH CONTAINS NUTS. IT ALSO INCLUDES TASTE AND SMELL TESTS.

All work undertaken can be taken back to the classroom.
NB Activities are subject to change
The lesson plan used for this session is available on request