So you wanna be a minstrel?
The king's marriage
It is early 1544 and there is a new Queen at court: Henry VIII's sixth bride, Katheryn Parr. Students will visit sites around the Tower connected with Henry's previous wives. Accompanied by a courtier well-acquainted with the new Queen, students will hear about the momentous lives (and deaths!) of Henry's wives. This session especially supports knowledge and understanding of events, people and changes in the past and chronological understanding by examining Henry VIII's marriages in the historic environment.
This session includes time spent exploring outdoor areas of the site - please encourage students to dress appropriately for the weather.
Monday to Friday
10.30, 12.00, 13.30
50 minutes
£90 plus admission
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Imprisonment, escape and execution
Although the Tower of London was not built as a prison, it has, over the centuries, acquired a fearsome reputation as the worst prison in the country.
In this session, students will put themselves in the shoes of a prisoner and hear exciting stories of the Tower's dark history from a costumed character. Where would they have been locked up? What were the prisons at the Tower like? What crime might they have committed? This session especially supports skills of historical interpretation and historical enquiry by examining prison cells in the historic environment.
This session includes time spent exploring outdoor areas of the site - please encourage students to dress appropriately for the weather.
Monday to Friday
10.30, 12.00, 13.30
50 minutes
£90 plus admission
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"Our guide was fantastic and made learning about the Tudors come alive."
Teacher comment
Fit for a king
To accompany the Royal Armouries impressive Fit for a King exhibition in the White Tower, this session will examine one of England's most famous kings, none other than Henry VIII himself: King, sportsman and Tudor superstar! Led by a costumed presenter, students will have the opportunity to handle Henry VIII's replica armour. This session especially supports skills of historical interpretation and historical enquiry by examining replica objects.
Monday to Friday
10.30, 12.00, 13.30
1 hour
£90 plus admission
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Walter Raleigh: Elizabeth's explorer
It is 1616 and Sir Walter Raleigh is imprisoned in the Bloody Tower. Word has just arrived that he's to be freed to go in search of the lost city of El Dorado! You'll meet one of Sir Walter's closest friends and relive his pioneering expeditions to the 'New World'. Students will advise Sir Walter on making his latest venture a success. This session especially supports knowledge and understanding of events, people and changes in the past and skills of historical enquiry by examining evidence about a key historic character and exploration.
This session includes time spent exploring outdoor areas of the site - please encourage students to dress appropriately for the weather.
Monday to Friday
10.30, 12.00, 13.30
1 hour
£90 plus admission
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Investigating the Tudors
Your students will become history detectives investigating replica objects with a Tudor costumed character. Quill pen, board game, lantern: sort the rich from the poor in our Tudor chest collection. This session especially supports skills of historical interpretation and organisation and communication as students examine replica objects and report back their findings.
Monday to Friday
10.30, 12.00, 13.30
1 hour
£90 plus admission
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"It was fantastic! Great to have clothes that fit the class."
Teacher comment
Dressed for court
Students will enjoy a rare opportunity to handle and try on exquisite Tudor costume. Comparing and contrasting the clothing of rich and poor, students will find out about the rules and regulations that governed dress in Tudor England. This session especially supports skills of historical enquiry and organisation and communication as students examine replica clothes and report back their findings.
Monday to Friday
10.30, 12.00, 13.30
1 hour
£90 plus admission
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Tudor music
Our music historian will introduce students to a range of Tudor music, from tunes that Henry VIII enjoyed, to entertainment for sailors aboard the Mary Rose. This is a rare chance for your students to hear Tudor tunes played on replica instruments. Students may have the chance to handle and play some of the instruments. This session especially supports knowledge and understanding of events, people and changes in the past and appraisal skills by engaging with and comparing different music for rich and poor in Tudor times.
Fridays 
10.45, 12.00, 13.30
1 hour
£90 plus admission
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Bring on the bling!
Over two million people a year visit the Tower of London to see the crown jewels, but is there more to this world famous collection than just the bling? Using replica crown jewels in a classroom environment, students will investigate what the crown jewels really are, what they symbolise, and uncover key stories about the jewels and why they are kept at the Tower. They will also learn more about the importance of the coronation ceremony and how the jewels are still used today under Elizabeth II. This session especially supports the citizenship curriculum.
Monday to Friday
10.30, 12.00, 13.30
1 hour
£90 plus admission
How to book >
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So you wanna be a minstrel?
Have you ever wondered what it took to be a Tudor rock star? Work with our music historian to uncover the fascinating life of a Tudor minstrel and learn about what it took to be good enough to play for the king. Students will also be able to create their own instruments which they can play. This session especially supports knowledge and understanding of events, people and changes in the past and appraisal skills by engaging with and comparing different music for rich and poor in Tudor times.
Fridays 
10.45, 12.00, 13.30
1 hour
£90 plus admission
How to book >
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"Very engaging storytelling, thank you."
Teacher comment
