Archives Ahoy!

Part One

Use your observation skills to gather as much evidence as you can, remember to start from the very top of the document.

You can print it out, write your notes on paper or chat to your partner.

Part Two

Here is a particular section of the document that you just looked at.

You can have a go at reading the whole section, or just pick out words that you can read.  There is a transcript available too.

Part Three

Now that you have gathered lots of evidence, you probably have some questions too.  Use your evidence to make suggestions about what this document could be.

• What type of document do you think this is?
• Why?
• Who wrote it?
• When?

Part Four

Well done for practising your history skills today!

You can continue learning by exploring Mystery Document Two, and get crafty by taking part in the creative activities below.

Additional document to investigate:

HCA 1/15

• Look at this document, have a go at reading along with the transcript or read the simplified translation
• What do you notice first about this document?
• Who is the document written by?
• What is this document about?

Further Activities:

Cut out a semi-circle from paper or card (or a paper plate in half), and design your own pirate ship.  You could use lolly sticks for the masks, and don’t forget to design your own pirate flag!

Using the design of King William’s proclamation, write your own official announcement about something which is really important to you!  You could even have a go at creating your own coat of arms, and staining the document with tea to make it look really old!  Remember to ask an adult to help if you use hot water!