Sixth-form historians had a fantastic, Tudor-packed few days on the recent trip to Canterbury. Following in the footsteps of Thomas Wolsey, Ipswich’s most famous son, they started at Hampton Court. Immersing themselves in the extraordinary history of its 1400 rooms, they visited the chapel where Henry VIII married his last wife, saw where Edward VI was born, walked the corridor Katherine Howard is said to haunt- and got lost in the maze!
Next, it was off to Canterbury. As well as visiting the university for a taste of student life, they saw the vault which holds Thomas More’s head and did a walking tour, becoming experts in Tudor architecture. Like Henry II (who visited the city to atone for his part in Archbishop Becket’s murder), our students walked from outside the medieval gate to the Cathedral. Also like the King, they were not put off by the rain! Rewarded with the spectacular site of Canterbury Cathedral emerging above the medieval streets, they then enjoyed a visit to the archives and a guided-tour.
We rounded the trip off with visits to St Martins, the oldest church in continuous use in the English-speaking world, and the ruins of St Augustine’s Abbey.
The students were great company and did our school proud.
1)Whole group at St Augustine’s Abbey, with the Cathedral in the background.
2) Year 12 in Henry VIII’s Great Hall at Hampton Court. It was here that several hundred members of his court were fed and entertained.
3) Studying the ruins at St Augustine’s Abbey. Students became skilled in recognising different architectural styles and using clues to learn about the lost world of monastic life.
4) Playing ‘Fox and Goose’ at Hampton Court
