A Role Play
(An activity to encourage appreciation of attitudes and beliefs of people in the past)
The purpose of this Role Play is to enable the pupils to realise that the layers of Tudor Society were far from set in stone. Considerable dispute took place as to rank in society. Did a nobleman automatically rank above a churchman for example? Landowner above rich merchant? Landowner’s widow over merchant? Was it wealth or blood line that mattered?
Objective
It beautifully addresses KSU 2a ‘range of ideas beliefs and attitudes of men women and children in the past’.
Method
- Give out the cards and instruct pupils that they are to adopt air and gait of character on the card.
- Allow pupils 3-4 minutes to converse then tell them to form a line of rank order from most senior to least.
- 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!
- 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.
Role Cards
