Wakefield Museums and Castles

Shakespeare’s Richard II: fact or fiction?

Pontefract Castle was the setting for both the factual and fictional demise of King Richard II.

In ‘Richard II’, William Shakespeare writes a dramatic account of the deposed king’s miserable imprisonment and murderous death at the castle. But how much of what Shakespeare wrote is true?

In this workshop pupils will bring key excerpts from Shakespeare’s play to life through dramatic performance. They will discover that Shakespeare’s version of events was not entirely accurate. A walk around the castle site is also included in the session.

Workshop includes:

• Learning about history where it happened
• An introduction to a Shakespearean play
• Developing drama and discussion skills

Venue: Pontefract Castle

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on what best fits your timetable.

This workshop is also suitable for Key Stage 3 pupils.

Medieval medicine

In this interactive session pupils will learn about different aspects of medieval medicine. These include the theory of the four humours and the roles played by different people.

Pupils will explore real recipes for medieval remedies. They will write some recipes of their own for imaginary medieval patients. They will mix medicinal concoctions using mortars, pestles and a variety of natural ingredients.

Workshop includes:

• Understanding the theory of the four humours
• Exploring medieval medicine through multi-sensory activities
• Creating herbal remedies

Venue: Pontefract Castle, Wakefield Museum or in school

Duration: 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes depending on what best fits your timetable.

This workshop is also suitable for Key Stage 3 pupils.

Wakefield: an evolving city

Pupils will look at the landscape in and around Wakefield. They will develop an understanding of the role played by the geography of the area in attracting early settlement.

They will learn how the city grew and flourished in Tudor times thanks to the wool trade. They will discover the impact in the Victorian era of the Industrial Revolution.

Pupils will be challenged to consider how and why Wakefield has changed and evolved from Victorian times into the city that it is today. They will then imagine what the future evolution of the city might look like.

Workshop includes:

• Identifying links between geography and historic settlement
• Examining and interpreting historical objects and materials
• Developing ideas and drawing conclusions

Venue: Wakefield Museum or in school

Duration: 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes depending on what best fits your timetable.

This workshop is also suitable for Key Stage 3 pupils.

Shakespeare and the Battle of Wakefield

The Battle of Wakefield took place near Sandal Castle in 1460. It was a key moment in the Wars of the Roses. Shakespeare wrote about the battle in his play ‘Henry VI, Part III’. But how accurate is Shakespeare’s version of events?

In this workshop pupils will explore excerpts from the play through dramatic readings. They will discover how much of what Shakespeare wrote was fact and how much was fiction. 

When delivered at Wakefield Museum pupils will have the opportunity to view artefacts from Sandal Castle.

Workshop includes:

• An introduction to a Shakespearean play
• Using fictional writing to inspire an interest in an historic event
• Developing theories and expressing ideas through drama and poetry

Venue: Wakefield Museum or in school

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on what best fits your timetable.

This workshop is also suitable for Key Stage 3 pupils.

School dungeon tours

Through this immersive, multi-sensory experience pupils will discover when and how the underground rooms at Pontefract Castle were created. They will learn how their use changed over time, from medieval cellars to a Civil War prison.

Pupils will also learn about some of the key people and events involved in the castle’s history. This includes the founding of the castle by the Norman knight Ilbert de Lacy, to the growing and storage of liquorice in the 1700s.

Tour includes:

• Learning about history where it happened
• Interactive storytelling
• Immersive learning

Venue: Pontefract Castle

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes overall (larger classes split into two tour groups)

At least one member of school staff must accompany each group into the dungeon.

The dungeon tours are also suitable for Key Stage 3 pupils.