God & The King

Step back in time and try to imagine what it would have been like when Henry VIII was on the throne. No school for a start (did I hear you shout hurrah?), no hospitals, no pensions or sick pay - in fact, none of the things we take for granted now so life was pretty hard. There were no holidays either and the only time you left your village was to go on a pilgrimage. In those days absolutely everyone, king or peasant, truly and deeply believed in God so lots of people did go on pilgramages. The pilgrims were the world's first tourists!

In Walsingham, you can see where they came to stay (kings included) and find out why they came. Just like us, they liked to buy souvenirs and you can see the badges they bought to show where they had been.

You will also find out what happened to Walsingham when Henry VIII decided to get rid of the monasteries. (Remember all those wives - it didn't make him very popular with Rome.) You will also hear the terrible fate of those who tried to stop him!

We bet you'll be glad you weren't born then - even if they didn't have schools!