History workshops at Hampton Court Palace

Covering all the relevant areas of the OCR, AQA and Edexcel A-level specifications, each session includes an in-depth tour of Hampton Court Palace and involves analysing the palace buildings and other relevant sources.

Available sessions: 

• The rise and fall of Thomas Wolsey
• What was the driving force of the Reformation?
• Mid Tudor crisis

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The rise and fall of Thomas Wolsey

• AQA Unit 1 HIS1B
• Edexcel Unit 2 Option A1
• OCR Unit F961 Option A

This 2-hour session uses Hampton Court Palace as a source, as well as the sources in the booklet below, to discuss the different reasons why Thomas Wolsey fell from power.

Source Booklet (PDF 448 KB):

The sources in this booklet show contemporary opinions of Wolsey, how the Cardinal presented himself both through his buildings and his clothes, and his relationship with Henry VIII. The sources can be used to explain why Wolsey was able to rise so high, and why he ultimately fell from grace.

Please note that if you book an A-level session with us at Hampton Court Palace all students will be given a copy of this source book and we will use it during the day

Teachers' Notes (PDF 34.7 KB) >

How to book >

What was the driving force of the Reformation?

• Edexcel Unit 2 Option A1
• AQA Unit 2 HIS2B
• OCR Unit F961 Option A
• OCR Unit F966 Option A

This 2-hour session uses Hampton Court Palace as a source, as well as the sources in the booklet below, to discuss the different driving forces behind the Reformation. 

Source Booklet (PDF 1.08 MB): 

The sources in this booklet examine the different driving forces behind the Reformation - ranging from the wealth of the Roman Catholic Church (shown particularly by the wealth of Wolsey), Henry's desire for an heir, his infatuation with Anne Boleyn, and Henry's personal belief that he was appointed by God to care for his people's souls. Some of the sources can also be used to discuss who was in control of events during the Reformation years - was it Henry himself or was he swayed and persuaded by those close to him?

Please note that if you book an A-level session with us at Hampton Court Palace all students will be given a copy of this source book and we will use it during the day.

Teachers' Notes (PDF 35.3 KB) >

How to book >

Mid Tudor crisis

How stable was the monarchy during the Mid Tudor period? 

• AQA Unit 3 HIS3B 
• Edexcel Unit 3 Option A1
• OCR History A Unit F961 Option A
• OCR History A Unit F963 Option A
• OCR History A Unit F965g
• OCR History B Unit F981
• OCR History B Unit F983

During this session, students investigate four different incidents which happened here at Hampton Court Palace during the Mid-Tudor period and decide what each tells us about the nature of power at the time. Students are then taken on a tour of the palace to see how Edward, Mary and Elizabeth used Hampton Court differently to Henry VIII and what we can deduce from this about their reigns.

Teachers' Notes (PDF 35.3 KB) >

How to book >

Details

All the above sessions run on Mondays and Tuesdays

Times by arrangement 
2 hours
£10 per student