Castle under Siege! - Museum Sessions

Keystage 3, Whole Day Session 'It was great, I could see what it was really like instead of imagining it.' Student, Amberfield School, Ipswich

Castle under Siege!

Colchester Castle is the largest Norman keep ever built and retains many of the features of a traditional Castle. In 1216 the Castle was besieged by King John and his army. But was this the best strategy of attack and how likely was it to succeed?

  • A costumed storyteller will take pupils from the Castle vaults to the roof, examining evidence of defences and assessing possible methods of attack.
  • From a Medieval nun they will find out more about illness, medical beliefs and practices in Medieval times, and the impact of a siege on living conditions and illness in the Castle.
  • Stepping into the prisons, students will hear talks from the gaoler and experience the harsh conditions in the prisons and the humiliation of the pillory as they learn about crime and punishment in Medieval times.

This stimulating day give students an opportunity to use a range of historical sources, interpreting and evaluating evidence gained, to present their conclusions.