THE TUDORS: Tudor Banquet with Elizabeth I: Commonwealth, Influency, Power and Money - Who would sit where? Why?

This product is a creative look at teaching the Tudors with the main objectives being:

• Understanding the need for Elizabeth I to make Britain powerful and rich
• Knowledge of how religion impacted on the life of Elizabeth, her court and those around the world (including Mary, Queen of Scots)
• The achievements of Elizabeth I and her role in changing attitudes towards women in the Tudor court
• Know the influential figures who supported/challenged the reign of the Tudor Queen

The main activity is to provide a seating plan for a banquet being held by Elizabeth I. On the guest list are 12 influential Tudor figures ranging from Elizabeth's mother (Anne Boleyn) to William Shakespeare to Walter Raleigh. Historically, some of these characters never met, either through geographical location, or not being alive at the same time - but in this very special banquet, barriers of geography and history, life and death have been lifted! Students must work out, with Elizabeth sitting in the middle, where will the 12 guests sit?

• Who will sit closest to Elizabeth I and why?
• Who will sit furthest from Elizabeth I and why?

A full lesson plan is included for the teacher to structure the lesson in a clear and progressive way. To begin with, students can work independently, in pairs or in groups and are given a pack of 12 Guest Profiles. The children will need to find out (through using a range of non-fiction sources) different pieces of information to inform their views on where each historical figure should sit, linked with their relationship with Elizabeth and the legacy of their actions on the Tudor period. They will need to find out the following information:

• Born and Died
• Reasons for death
• Country of birth and religion
• Job Title and details of their responsibilities
• Achievements, impact on Tudor period
• Relationship with Elizabeth I

Through discussion, students will start to formulate a seating plan in their minds. At this point, provide the children with the 12 Table Name Labels for them to start sorting and arranging the seating plan - with Elizabeth being placed in the center.

Once completed, each group should be able to justify who sits where and why. Further discussions will occur if their are differences in positions as groups can share further evidence they have found which could challenge the decisions made by other groups.

All in all, this activity - which can take up to a day - provides a very in-depth study of the Tudors in a seemingly simple activity.

Our students loved this activity, and we are currently developing further banquets for them to apply the skills of research, discussion and persuasion using evidence which they gained from this product. They particularly enjoyed the extension activities included in the lesson plan!

We hope that your students enjoy this product to. Simply purchase, download, print and go! Non-fiction resources/internet access is required to support research of the 12 key figures.

Great to start a topic, and ideal to review the Tudors!

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INSPIReducation