Mountfitchet is a recreated wooden castle based on the motte and bailey castle that was built here in 1066.
We pretended we were going to attack the castle. First we surveyed the outside to look for potential difficulties. Then we thought about what we could build to attack the castle.
We decided that undermining wasn't necessary as the castle walls are made of wood rather than stone. We looked at their charcoal making technology. We also befriended some of the baron's deer.
We thought we needed more intelligence, so we decided to sneak into the castle posing as traders. We had to drop our money into the plague stone to clean it of dirt. As soon as we were in, we snuck a peek at their store room.
We thought perhaps we could convince the prisoner to give us some inside information. Unfortunately HB was caught sitting down and whipped for being lazy and then put in the stocks.
HB then took part in a catapult test - gaining valuable information about their defences.
HB crept into a watch tower and discovered what helmets they had. Good news for our side - at least one is broken!
As part of our cover we fed the animals. In the Doomsday Book there are 1000 pigs listed as being at Mountfitchet. Fortunately we did not have to feed 1000 pigs!
We noted who their skilled individuals were. If our siege is successful we may wish to use some of these craftsmen.
HB made detailed notes of how much food and drink they had in the castle.
HB was pleased to note that their mail was inferior to ours. HB then took the time to sharpen our swords.
HB tries to blend in by going to church, but oh no, HB is in trouble again! HB has been accused of witchcraft and may be tried by ordeal. I quickly rescue HB and we head to the inner bailey to finish our spying mission as quickly as possible.
It will be hard to attack the inner bailey, but that is where the baron will be. We sneak into the Great Hall to witness the feast.
After checking out their weapons supply, we sneak up to the Baron's bedroom. Could we assassinate the baron now? Someone hears us up there so we run back out of the castle as fast as we can.
Throughout the day HB completed the KS3 worksheets (they looked more interesting than the KS1 and KS2 ones) and collected stamps for the children's challenge.
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