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Boys at Bristol Cathedral School found themselves face-to-face with the 17 th Century during a special history day.

Two Puritans and an Anglican priest of the era visited the independent school to give Year 8 pupils a taste of life in the time of King Charles I and the English Civil War.

The day was the brainchild of the school's Head of History, Mr Richard Stride, who is a musketeer in the English Civil War Society in his spare time. “The 17 th century was a fascinating time, dominated by religious conflict,” he said. “We hoped that having a special day would make it memorable for our students and give them a taste of what life would have been like for their predecessors at the school here 350 years ago.”

The school's Head, Mrs Anne Davey, said: “Education should be about inspiring young people, and this is just the sort of event that captures pupils' imagination and makes them want to learn more.”

During the morning, David Sherratt, a retired teacher, played an Anglican priest and led a service in the cathedral, following the 17 th century order for “matyns dayley through the yere”.

He explained to the boys that it had been a time when many believed in all kinds of superstitions and in witchcraft.

The two Puritans, played by Laura Cherry from the English Civil War Society and David Sebborn, who is curator of Bridgwater Museum, led classroom sessions during which they covered aspects of 17 th century life from food and clothing to weaponry.

Fortunately perhaps, the boys were spared the sort of church service to which the Puritans would have been accustomed. “If you were a Puritan, you expected – and wanted – a two-hour sermon,” Mr Sherratt told them.

Bristol Cathedral School welcomes boys aged 11-18 and has a co-educational sixth form. From September this year, girls will be welcomed from the age of 11.

Issued on behalf of Bristol Cathedral School by Edge Media

MEDIA CONTACTS : Deputy Head Mr Neil Folland on 0117 929 1872 or

Paul Herbert at Edge Media on 01453 842657

 

 

 

Bristol Cathedral School, College Square, Bristol, BS1 5TS. Tel 0117 929 1872
E-mail Head@BristolCathedral.org.uk