Objective

It beautifully addresses KSU 2a ‘range of ideas beliefs and attitudes of men women and children in the past'.

Method

1. Give out the cards and instruct pupils that they are to adopt air and gait of character on the card.
2. Allow pupils 3-4 minutes to converse then tell them to form a line of rank order from most senior to least.
3. When pupils have formed their line challenge some to justify their position relative to their immediate neighbours eg ‘You sir, justify your place. You madam how dare you rank yourself above that man…speak!
4. In case of argument ask for those in dispute to make their case publicly then put it to class vote who should move his/her position.

Quickly pupils will realise that rank could be disputed – particularly between the tenant farmer and merchant classes.

I acknowledge the help and suggestions of a former colleague, Christopher Holderness in the development of this role play.

Thomas Howard

Duke of Norfolk

You are a leading noble in the kingdom owning vast areas of land. You regularly attend at court.

Mary Howard

Duchess of Norfolk

You are married to the Duke and come from a great noble family in your own right

Sir Percy Glynne

You are an important local gentleman owning much land let to tenant farmers. You are a local magistrate.

Lady Glynne

Married to Sir Percy. You are from a merchant family but are proud of your new importance

Thomas Faversham

You are a wealthy wool merchant greatly respected in Norwich . You own many town houses but no land.

Katherine Faversham

Daughter to Thomas Faversham. You are twenty years old and increasingly desperate for a husband. You carry with you a large dowry (sum of money) from your father

Matida Harte

Widow of a wealthy fish merchant from Barking.

Thomas Foote Abbott of St. Benets

You are powerful in the church and a very proud man.

Michael Greenwood

A successful tenant farmer employing many labourers.

You rent from Sir Percy Glynne. You are comfortably off.

Rodney Cudthorpe

A successful cobbler employing two apprentices and a journeyman. You are active in your local guild.

Maria Percy

Mother Superior of Quidenham House of Prayer

Of noble family you felt a calling to join the Church.

John Smith

You are an honest God-fearing farm labourer. You support a wife and seven children

Beth Green

Widow of a farm worker. You are desperately poor and claim parish relief to keep your five young children

Peter Milne

A soldier recently returned fron the wars. You seek work by wandering the countryside

Elspeth Muccke

You live by begging. You create sympathy by pretending to be lame.

Seth Slymme

You are fit and well but live from the proceeds of petty theft and begging by menace

Sally Browne

You live by peddling your hand-made toys

Demelza Grott

You live alone in your cottage on the edge of town. You have a black cat and seek no company. Toads live in a pond near your house

John Blackwell

Manservant to Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk

Bess of Hartwell

Widow of several rich noblemen. Very rich and a great landowner in her own right (now!)

William Cooper

You make barrels which you sell in a small, rented shop

Kate Cooper

Wife to William. Mother to six children. You struggle to live on your husband's earnings

Thomas Coote

Parish priest. Poor but well beloved in the parish

Barnaby Swille

Innkeeper. Well respected as honest. You strive to keep a respectable inn.

Millie Bump

Serving girl at Swille's inn.

Single, but seeking a husband desperately at 28

Henrietta Hill

Widow of a wealthy wool merchant. Rich and intelligent. Still the brains behind the business owned now by her foolish son.