Year 2 learn about the Normans at Mountfitchet Castle

Our Year 2 pupils have been learning about the Battle of Hastings and the Bayeux Tapestry during the Spring Term. At the end of term, the group visited Mountfitchet Castle in Stansted, which is a reconstructed Motte and Bailey style castle, built in the 1980s on an original Iron Age site. The girls enjoyed having the opportunity to dress up as and role-play as Norman soldiers.

The Normans originally built these castles after they invaded the Saxons and you can see one being constructed in the Bayeux Tapestry itself. The girls practised their sword skills, but found the helmets rather large and uncomfortable and the chain mail a bit heavy. A few of the ‘soldiers’ ended up in the stocks, but all were soon forgiven and released! The girls were excited to hear that the tapestry will be on loan to England, but not so happy to hear that it won’t be until 2023.