Hungry Historians; Making History
On Thursday 20th March, Year 7 students from Dolphin School visited Leighton Park School to participate in a special Hungry Historians workshop. The session was designed to build on their studies of the English Civil War period, offering a unique approach to understanding history through food.
The day began with an engaging classroom lesson with Head of History, Helen Tatlock, who explained: “You can learn about history in so many different ways. One of my favourite ways to explore the past is through food. What people ate, how they prepared it, and the ingredients they had access to offer a unique window into the everyday lives of those in history, shedding light on the social dynamics and culture at that time.”
The students delved into food trends of the 17th Century and learned about the types of food consumed by different social classes, exploring how the rich and poor lived very different culinary lives. The students created menus with luxury items such as dairy and meat reserved for the wealthier members of society, while simpler fare, such as bread and in-season vegetables, were staples for the lower classes. The lesson also revealed the surprising fact that it was not unusual for people to drink ale for breakfast during this period.
After this insightful session, the students enjoyed a short snack break, making the most of the sunny weather. The group then moved to Leighton Park’s Food Tech room, where they put their historical knowledge into practice. Under the guidance of Food Tech teacher, Karen Hicks, the students got hands-on in the kitchen, learning essential cooking and chopping skills as they prepared a traditional meat and vegetable pie – a recipe based on the English Civil War era.
It was a wonderful blend of history, learning and creativity, providing the Year 7 students from Dolphin School with a greater understanding of history, food, and the role both played during such a pivotal time in English history. Sonny (Year 7) said his favourite part of the workshop was “making the filling with the mince for the pie” whilst Josie, Elijah, and Ruby all wished they could have stayed longer!
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