Castles: the 'hole' story

8/3/2019 Castles: the 'hole' story

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BOOKING AND SITE INFORMATIONBOOKING AND SITE INFORMATIONBOOKING AND SITE INFORMATIONBOOKING AND SITE INFORMATIONWWWW www.english-heritage.org.uk/onlinebooking EEEE [email protected] Engine House, Fire Fly Avenue, Swindon, SN2 2EH TTTT0870 333 0606 FFFF01793 414926

ACTIVITIES

FOR INSPIRINGACTIVITIES VISIT

HERITAGE EXPLORERwww.heritage-explorer.co.uk

ENGLISH HERITAGE TEACHERS KIT

An Activity for Key Stages 1 and 2

CASTLES - the hole story

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The hole story isThe hole story isThe hole story isThe hole story is

A way for teachers to engage and inspire children, as self-

guided learners, through exploration of primary historicalevidence. A quirky, light-hearted and non-threatening approach to

castles for learners and teachers alike. A great way of discovering what castles were, how they

functioned and who lived and worked in them. A resource that takes the pressure off teachers with little

or no experience of castles and or history, offering an

enjoyable visit for all participants.

Why are holes great?Why are holes great?Why are holes great?Why are holes great?

Because they tell the story of the castle. Every castle isunique, but what they all have in common is that they haveholes.

Castles can be very hard to interpret. Holes are an easyway in and you will have no trouble finding, recording,thinking about, interacting with and drawing conclusionsabout them

Holes have seen all sorts of things, from cannonballs tocandles, portcullises to poo. They tell the story of yourcastle. By investigating the holes, you can draw out thehole story.


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All photos English Heritage except this one: Richard White

These are the types of holes commonlyThese are the types of holes commonlyThese are the types of holes commonlyThese are the types of holes commonlyfound in castles.found in castles.found in castles.found in castles.Why not print this page to help guideWhy not print this page to help guideWhy not print this page to help guideWhy not print this page to help guideyour groups investigation?your groups investigation?your groups investigation?your groups investigation?


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These are the types of holes commonlyThese are the types of holes commonlyThese are the types of holes commonlyThese are the types of holes commonlyfound in castles.found in castles.found in castles.found in castles.Why not print this page to help guideWhy not print this page to help guideWhy not print this page to help guideWhy not print this page to help guideyour groups investigation?your groups investigation?your groups investigation?your groups investigation?

WellWellWellWellUsually built in stone;Usually built in stone;Usually built in stone;Usually built in stone;

round or square;round or square;round or square;round or square;often filled in.often filled in.often filled in.often filled in.

A vital water supplyA vital water supplyA vital water supplyA vital water supplyfor the castle.for the castle.for the castle.for the castle.

MuzzleMuzzleMuzzleMuzzleThe opening at the end of a gunThe opening at the end of a gunThe opening at the end of a gunThe opening at the end of a gunbarrel. Many cannon are loadedbarrel. Many cannon are loadedbarrel. Many cannon are loadedbarrel. Many cannon are loaded

from this endfrom this endfrom this endfrom this end.

OvenOvenOvenOvenBread ovens are usually built intoBread ovens are usually built intoBread ovens are usually built intoBread ovens are usually built into

the corner of the fireplace.the corner of the fireplace.the corner of the fireplace.the corner of the fireplace.

Murder HoleMurder HoleMurder HoleMurder HoleA hole in a passageway or gatewayA hole in a passageway or gatewayA hole in a passageway or gatewayA hole in a passageway or gatewayfrom where defenders could shootfrom where defenders could shootfrom where defenders could shootfrom where defenders could shoot

or pour boiling liquids.or pour boiling liquids.or pour boiling liquids.or pour boiling liquids.

Putlog HolesPutlog HolesPutlog HolesPutlog HolesHoles forHoles forHoles forHoles forsecuringsecuringsecuringsecuring

scaffolding orscaffolding orscaffolding orscaffolding orroof/wall timbers.roof/wall timbers.roof/wall timbers.roof/wall timbers.

Often a clue to lostOften a clue to lostOften a clue to lostOften a clue to lostfloor levels.floor levels.floor levels.floor levels.

Fireplace &Fireplace &Fireplace &Fireplace &ChimneyChimneyChimneyChimney

Simple orSimple orSimple orSimple ordecorative;decorative;decorative;decorative;

some high up in a wallsome high up in a wallsome high up in a wallsome high up in a wallwhere an upper floorwhere an upper floorwhere an upper floorwhere an upper floor

used to be.used to be.used to be.used to be.

KeyholeKeyholeKeyholeKeyholeFor a whole variety ofFor a whole variety ofFor a whole variety ofFor a whole variety of

key sizes andkey sizes andkey sizes andkey sizes andreasons to be locked.reasons to be locked.reasons to be locked.reasons to be locked.

GarderobeGarderobeGarderobeGarderobeShaftShaftShaftShaft

People went to thePeople went to thePeople went to thePeople went to thetoilet in this hole.toilet in this hole.toilet in this hole.toilet in this hole.

It was in a closet orIt was in a closet orIt was in a closet orIt was in a closet orprivy discharging intoprivy discharging intoprivy discharging intoprivy discharging into

a moat.a moat.a moat.a moat.

DoorwayDoorwayDoorwayDoorwayExterior orExterior orExterior orExterior or

interior doorways;interior doorways;interior doorways;interior doorways;

holes for doorholes for doorholes for doorholes for door----barsbarsbarsbarsand boltsand boltsand boltsand boltsoften present.often present.often present.often present.

ArrowloopArrowloopArrowloopArrowloopNarrowNarrowNarrowNarrow

window towindow towindow towindow todefend archers whiledefend archers whiledefend archers whiledefend archers whileshooting arrows fromshooting arrows fromshooting arrows fromshooting arrows from

bows orbows orbows orbows orcrossbows.crossbows.crossbows.crossbows.

DrainDrainDrainDrainFound inside orFound inside orFound inside orFound inside or

outside buildings; usedoutside buildings; usedoutside buildings; usedoutside buildings; usedfor rainwater orfor rainwater orfor rainwater orfor rainwater or

waste;waste;waste;waste;often discharge viaoften discharge viaoften discharge viaoften discharge via

undergroundundergroundundergroundundergroundculverts or directlyculverts or directlyculverts or directlyculverts or directly

into moat.into moat.into moat.into moat.

WindowWindowWindowWindowVery different toVery different toVery different toVery different todefensive holes,defensive holes,defensive holes,defensive holes,

these can be simple orthese can be simple orthese can be simple orthese can be simple ordecorative.decorative.decorative.decorative.

DamageDamageDamageDamageMusket holes andMusket holes andMusket holes andMusket holes and

breaches in walls often causedbreaches in walls often causedbreaches in walls often causedbreaches in walls often causedwhen castles were slightedwhen castles were slightedwhen castles were slightedwhen castles were slighted

in the Civil War.in the Civil War.in the Civil War.in the Civil War.

GunportGunportGunportGunportA defensive position forA defensive position forA defensive position forA defensive position for

firing a cannon.firing a cannon.firing a cannon.firing a cannon.

MoatMoatMoatMoatDitch surrounding castle,Ditch surrounding castle,Ditch surrounding castle,Ditch surrounding castle,

sometimes filled with water.sometimes filled with water.sometimes filled with water.sometimes filled with water.

PortcullisPortcullisPortcullisPortcullisSlides down through a hole aboveSlides down through a hole aboveSlides down through a hole aboveSlides down through a hole abovean entrance; stowed above in thean entrance; stowed above in thean entrance; stowed above in thean entrance; stowed above in the

gatehouse.gatehouse.gatehouse.gatehouse.


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FindFindFindFindUsing the types-guide, send accompanied groups off to find differenttypes of holes. Encourage fun, enthusiasm, and perhaps competition.See how many holes they can find!

Record evidenceRecord evidenceRecord evidenceRecord evidenceAsk the children to describe each hole. They can work in groups oruse their own learning style to use words, sketches, photographs, videoor maps. Let them develop their skills in recording the importantaspects of primary historical evidence.

ThinkThinkThinkThinkEncourage the children to think and discuss what the hole was usedfor. Who used it? How did they use it? Help them contextualise andrelate primary evidence to their own understanding and let themdevelop their skills in using primary evidence.

InteractInteractInteractInteractGet the children to create empathy and memory with the castle and itsformer inhabitants by encouraging some kind of interaction. They mightcreate a role-play or a news report; or they could act out what the serfsaw through the keyhole; or describe the scene of a siege through thesafety of an arrow loop. Its important that they physically interact withthe castle rather than just observe. Get them to touch, feel and puttheir hands through the holes. Allow them to draw conclusions,however far-fetched, then discuss their conclusions. Confirm, correct

and encourage. Above all, make their day out fun - and they wont evennotice theyre learning!

A hole load of avenues to explore...A hole load of avenues to explore...A hole load of avenues to explore...A hole load of avenues to explore...Who could have fallen down here? Were

they pushed and by whom?What's at the bottom?How important was the well?How would you get the water out?How could the enemy use the well?Do you think dragons lived in wells?Wouldn't the water have put their fire out?

Four steps to using holes for learning at a castleFour steps to using holes for learning at a castleFour steps to using holes for learning at a castleFour steps to using holes for learning at a castle

Castles: the 'hole' story

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