Plymouth College Lower Sixth historians have just returned from a 3-day Tudor History study trip in London with a wealth of new knowledge, a greater awareness of the source material available and a refreshed enthusiasm for all things Tudor.
Day one saw students examining the Tudor Exhibition at the National Art Gallery off Trafalgar Square where the similarity between the portraits highlighted the pressure on Hans Holbein and others to create a certain image of royalty for posterity. Day two saw students meet and hear from some of the leading academics in Tudor History with Professors Ronald Hutton and Peter Marshall making clear their re-invention of the traditional impression of "Bloody Mary" as a misunderstood and frustrated monarch - the victim of protestant propaganda. The evening meal at Wagamamas overlooking the Tower of London and Tower Bridge provided an exotic end to a busy day.
The final day saw students explore Hampton Court, home to monarchs and leading Tudor personalities. More important to some was the race to the centre of the famous Maze with honours shared by Leanne and Ieuan! Following a quick lunch the trip finished on a high with an excellent study of the Tower of London from the prisoners' cells to the torture chambers and Crown Jewels.
Head of History, Ed Beavington, said: "Many thanks to the historians at Hampton Court and the Tower for helping to bring everything to life and clarify the significance of the source material that we have inherited. It was a really successful trip and the students did great credit to Plymouth College."
