Kentwell Tudor living history day

We went to the beautiful Kentwell Hall today. We have had this planned for 6 months but still ended up ripping up old pillow cases this morning to fashion our Tudor outfits.  We just about scraped some semblance of historical appropriateness out of it and went on our merry way. 

Miles looking adorable in his little waistcoat. Holding 2d in his hand...

Caden had the other 6d (how did that happen? Look at the face of doom as well... 

To be fair they were both shattered from the week of camping and staying up late this week so they weren't fully up for it. They did well under those circumstances. 

Caden kept telling everyone he could 'It's not actually a real time tunnel you know' 'Time machines are not real!'. Ha! 

We did go through a time tunnel though and I am sure there was a little part of him that really believed it might actually be one. 

When we first got in there it was pretty much what you would expect if you have been to this kind of thing before. (I have done a Viking one years ago). Lots of tents around and people doing different time-specific activities. 

This was a person showing how to drive a pike. The boys learned what a pike was for and why it had barbs on it... Caden was a bit put off by that thought for a few seconds. 

You can see the pikes behind Caden's head here. 

Miles holding a gunpowder pouch. 

This chap actually loaded this really immense and incredible gun, with gunpowder and shot it. It was awesome! The gunpowder exploded with a sort of delayed whoosh. It was great to see. There was fire too. 

Barrels for ale or water :) and tudor crockery. 

The forge. Miles like watching the man use the hammer on the hot metal. 

Caden held chain mail and knight's metal gloves. We commented on how heavy the chain mail was and the smiths in the forge were really engaging with the boys, talking with them lots and trying to get over Caden and Miles' obvious shyness. It was quite overwhelming sometimes for Caden because it was so authentic. 

Miles playing with some tudor toys made out of wood by the wood turners. We saw turners making spoons and pots. We saw carvers carving figures of the queen and other things. 

We smelled the food before we saw it and I had to take a photo. The dish on the left is roots and worts (cabbage, carrot and onions) the middle is mashed parsnips and the right is beans. The far right is bread and there is some fish with mustard. It smelled delicious. 

Caden is holding a real sword here. It was blunt but still pretty heavy and he had a job keeping it upright. 

We found a tavern, The Saracen's Head. It was full of folk eating their 'Pottage'. 

Upstairs we were shown these wooden discs with veg. and fruit painted on them with a space left for temporary words to be written in. They would apparently be turned face down and bowls of fruit placed upon them to be eaten. Once the people had eaten their fill then the plates would be turned over and each would have a saying or a proverb or joke or conversation starter... very interesting. Caden told the lady who was explaining this to us, his Knock Knock joke about 'Alex', 'Alex who'? 'Alex Splain Later'... She laughed generously. He was chuffed. 

We were given Tudor Sword fighting lessons. 

The swords were a bit heavy for Miles but Caden did pretty well listening and it helped very much that he knows his left and right. He was getting on nicely. I helped Miles out but Miles was starting to feel unwell so he dropped out half way through. 

We passed by more wood turners then came across this really fascinating table with cogs and watches and ornate metal things on it next to a sand timer. 

The man at the table really looked the part, he was old with a long white/grey beard and had a look of wisdom about him. He was brilliant with Caden. He showed us the tudor compass, sundials, a ring sundial, a wooden clock with cogs that used to work. It was so interesting, this was our most favourite bit. The guy was great.  

We went to the Archer's section after that and were treated to a full explanation of how war bows vs hunting bows were fashioned and drawn. How much strength you need to have to draw a bow like that (A LOT). How early you would train from - 6 years or earlier though Caden was shy of having a go this time with the child's version. The men really explained the methods and manufacture of them so well that both the boys sat there quietly listening whereas usually we have a minute or two before they want to move on. 

I had to take a photo of this carved dead tree trunk. It is simply stunning! 

Here we are by the hall which we went into briefly before Miles got very whingey. He was ill for the rest of the day as he came down with sickness but we had a really good few hours at Kentwell Hall. The boys learned plenty and enjoyed it. I would go back again next year and I think there is something new you would get from every visit. We didn't even get around half of it.