Year 5 Jarrow Hall Visit

Today, Year 5 visited Jarrow Hall to find out all about Anglo Saxon life. This term, in History, we are looking at the Anglo Saxons and Vikings and discovering where they came from and what life was like in this time period.
We began our day with a tour of the working farm and we saw how the animals were kept and discussed what they would have been used for in Anglo Saxon times. The animals came to see us and we enjoyed meeting them and finding out how important they would have been to farmers.

Next, we visited the replica Anglo Saxon village. We found out how the buildings were made and what they were used for. The large building in the middle was very much like the mead hall of Herot in the Beowulf story we have been reading in our English lessons. We explored the tools and objects used for everyday life and were able to try some of them out. We ended with a story around the fire.

After lunch, we looked at crime and punishment in Anglo Saxon times. We tried holding a Moot to vote to see if criminals were guilty or innocent. We enjoyed listening to to the evidence from the criminal and witnesses. When the criminal was found guilty, we had to administer a punishment and some of the options were very severe. We all decided we are pleased we don’t live in Anglo Saxon times.

Finally, we looked at herbs and medicines used in this time. Some of the remedies used were disgusting and smelly. We had a go at making our own remedy for sore eyes out of garlic, salt, sugar and onions. Our last activity was to decide on which herbs and plants would help a sick person. After looking at the symptoms, we worked together to find the correct treatment.

We had an amazing day and we all feel like we have a brilliant understanding of Anglo Saxon life.