Outlaw

Today was about taking from the rich, and giving to those in need. And no, I'm not talking about Labour's manifesto launch this week.

Running into Sherwood Forest away from Guy of Gisbourne

I'm talking about the Legend of Robin Hood.

We began by learning a little about the difference between myths and legends; primarily that myths have magic and monsters in them, and that legends are, at least partly, based upon reality. Having really enjoyed learning about Guy Fawkes at school, and also about Charles II's escape from the Roundheads, we also looked a bit at the historical figures who feature at the time of Robin Hood like Richard the Lionheart and his evil brother John.

On our way to Sherwood Forest, we listened to Outlaw, Michael Morpurgo's gripping re-telling of the legend of Robin Hood. Approaching Edwinstowe we reached a compelling bit in the tale where a pursued Robin Hood and his blind father, who he has rescued from the Sheriff of Nottingham, are fleeing over open fields and into the forest on horseback. I actually had to slow the car down and reassure myself and Ferdy and Gil that the Sheriff's men weren't really after us.

tl clockwise: Shooting arrows like Robin Hood; Major Oak; selecting arrows; balancing;
reading about Major Oak; hiding for an ambush

The woodland is much smaller than it would have been in the 12th century, but it still has many of the ancient oak trees, most famously the legendary 1,000 year old Major Oak. We learnt that these gorgeously gnarled hollow oak trees were often used as hiding places for Robin Hood and his mens' rations and sometimes themselves.

Of course we then had to play at being outlaws, ambushing the rich and giving money and food to the poor. We also had to select our arrows, practice hiding, collect firewood, forage for food and get married (Gil was Robin, Ferdy was Maid Marian).

Ready for an ambush

I did have to end the game which involved both boys jumping in front of unsuspecting dog walkers and (after a lengthy debate with each other about whether they were rich or poor - you can tell by their clothes apparently), demanding half their money.

Back at home I had written Ferdy some comprehension questions about the Legend of Robin Hood. What could be more succinct than his answer to the question about messages or morals we can take from the legend:

Sage words indeed. I know who I'm going to be voting for on December 12th.

Powerful nature

On grey days where the rain is monotonous, there is really only one thing for it: go to Derby Museum.

They currently have an exhibition on about Japanese woodcuts, so, following some column addition, we decided to learn a little bit about Japan.

I've realised that the best way to discover a new country with Ferdy (other than go to it) is to approach it via its animals and its folktales. So we learnt about Japanese macaques and flying squirrels, and read the story of the Monkey and the Crab and the Tale of the Nine Tailed Fox.

The museum is only about 1/8 of our new audiobook, Michel Morpurgo's Elephant in the Garden, away, and, as we seemed to be having an animal-ish day, we begun with some crafts (randomly making toilets for National Toilet Day) and studying more animals in the nature gallery.

Because the folktales part of the woodcuts exhibition was empty, both boys felt the need to run round and round shouting and playing chase, ignoring all pictures. Gradually though, as I (who had been ignoring my children) read out the prints' captions, they began to be interested. We read about enormous spiders, dancing goblins and ghostly warriors. We saw the spirits of giant frogs and one hundred night demons, and learnt the story the old woman of lone house who lured in travellers and murdered them in their sleep.

Looking at the giant frogs

After our immersion in the horrors of Japanese folk tales, it was off to the World Gallery for more stories and read a lovely book about a fragmented community who come together again through making stone soup.

Feeling hungry, we then went to the cafe for crisps and coffee and some unsuccessful origami. Sadly, I could not construct the desired Japanese macaque, in fact, I couldn't even make a simple origami bird. Ferdy didn't really mind though, I think he quite enjoys it when I'm a bit hopeless at something.

Our animal-ish day ended with writing some fun facts about animals, hot dogs (oh the irony) and a nature programme.

The house that saved a king

Ferdy came back from school this week really excited about the story of Guy Fawkes, and it struck me that, as a boy whose life is so enriched by stories, he may really enjoy learning about history.

It also linked quite nicely to one of the places on my list that we haven't been to yet, Moseley Old Hall, the house where King Charles II hid for a few days when fleeing the Parliamentarians, only some fifty years and two kings after Guy Fawkes's execution (one of the words Ferdy and Gil learnt today along with tortured, hanged, drawn and quartered..).

First we explored the grounds.

tl-br clockwise: mud kitchen; mapreading; treehouse; swinging; climbing; reading signs; hiding; more climbing; balancing

We followed the map to find and climb, what might be, the best treehouse. Ever.

We ran though the woods, balanced on logs, played Narnia, swung in the trees, insisted on walking around pulling a tree, cooked in the mud kitchen. And we hadn't even had our lunch yet.

Over lunch, I told them the story of Charles II (which I had looked up as, I am ashamed to say, I have rather a potted history of the kings and queens of England) and his escape, disguised as a huntsman over the fields to the Hall, where he was hidden in a priest hole whilst the catholic owners, Thomas and Alice Whitgreave fended off Oliver Cromwell's troops.

Both Ferdy and Gil were fascinated and off we went to find the priest hole, the bed Charles II rested in and the kitchen in which he ate.

tl-br clockwise: looking out to the knot garden; Gil/King Charles in the chapel;
eating at the table; holding a real gun and sword; wearing a (very heavy) Cavalier's helmet;
looking into the priest hole.

What I hadn't quite realised (but should have guessed, knowing my children as I do) was that we were going there to act out the story, scene by scene. Gil was Charles II, I was Alice Whitgreave and Ferdy was Oliver Cromwell's troops, and Thomas Whitgreave. Gil even insisted I wash Charles' bleeding feet. Luckily, there weren't many people at the house, and luckily it was a quiet game as we had to keep a tired and hungry Charles II hidden.

The game momentarily stopped for us to attend part of a guided tour led by the volunteers of the house, who were dressed in the attire of the time. Gil bravely asked one of the guides whether they still had King Charles' disguise and was very excited to hear that the volunteer was wearing a huntsman outfit similar to that which King Charles would have worn when on the run.

Ferdy thoroughly enjoyed it when Pancake (the guide, and yes, it was his name) requested that Ferdy be his assistant for some magic tricks. Pancake also thrillingly got out a REAL gun and two REAL swords for Ferdy and Gil to hold.

It was such a delightful day, I didn't even mind that our game carried on all the way home (our car was the horse and carriage taking Charles II to the boat and crossing to France).

For us, Moseley Old Hall is the house that brought a king to life.

Gil's depiction of Charles II (left) and Thomas Whitgreave.
Notice that Charles II is big because we learnt he was very
tall for his era.