Each year Kentwell hosts amazing living history days for schools and home educators. Students and teachers/parents are encouraged to dress up for the occasion.
This was the first year we attended and we were blown away with how amazing it was. The reenactors' attention to detail is second to none and there is so much to see.
On arrival we exchanged some 21st century money for Tudor coin. We then headed through the time tunnel to 1593. We listened to some Tudor music, and HB got to have a go at making a sound on one of the instruments. We then headed to the kitchens, arriving just in time to be chosen for the procession. HB was given the butter to carry.
The chosen children processed from the kitchen through to the dinning hall, presenting their food to the high table. After this HB was hungry so we used a Tudor coin to purchase a Tudor snack.
Next was a trip to the dairy, observing how butter and cheese was made.
In the rooms next to the dairy, HB discovered how bread and beer was made.
Upstairs HB had a go at grinding medicinal herbs.
HB watched lace being made, had a run around the garden, and then explored the ice house.
We then watched an archery demonstration and listened to a talk about archery and fighting the French.
Unfortunately HB's Daddy had not dressed up. Since his clothes were so strange, the person giving the talk decided he must be French and used him as a demonstration model. (The following year he dressed up!)
In the school room HB learnt to write Tudor letters. Initially HB used water and a finger on slate, then water and a quill pen.
Next we met some craft men and women. HB had a go at hammering some metal to shape, and talked to a lady about wood carving. She talked HB through her tools and how she used them.
HB was shown how knives were sharpened.
Then HB explored how yarn and cloth was made. This was particularly exciting as HB had seen a video about making yarn in the past and present, so was excited to see some of the things in real life.
HB enjoyed watching cloth being made on a loom, and discovering how hats could be made by felting.
We had a great day and since we hadn't managed to see everything on offer, we decided to return next year.
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