History Mysteries: Medieval Castles

Date: 8th June 2026   

Time: Video shown at 1:30pm, live-streamed Q&A at 1:50pm  

Duration: 35 minutes if watching both the video and Q&A; 15 minutes if only joining for Q&A.    

Suitability: Key Stage Three (Year 7-9)  

To celebrate Local and Community History month and the start of a season exploring the Norman conquest, join us as we explore the form and function of Norman Castles. In partnership with English Heritage, we’ll take a look at two site studies, Restormel Castle in Cornwall and Pickering Castle in Yorkshire, to explore the design, usage and communities around each castle as an inspiration for looking a castle sites in your local area. 

In a pre-recorded video, we will explore medieval documents at The National Archives before visiting the ruins of each castle, looked after by English Heritage and speaking to experts about their history.  

Then, submit your questions and join us for our live-streamed Q&A with our record specialist, Kathryn Maud, and experts from English Heritage.  

How does it work? A pre-recorded twenty-minute video will be released to schools on Monday 1st June. You can watch this during an assembly, history lesson, or form time – whenever suits you!   

Students have a week to think about and submit questions via Slido about Medieval life, the Norman conquest, Medieval castles and The National Archives’ records.    

Finally, we will come back together for a livestreamed Q&A with record specialist, Kathryn Maud and special guests from English Heritage at 1:50pm on Monday 8th June. Feel free to join at 1:30pm to watch the pre-recorded video with the rest of the country if preferred!   

You only need a large screen and speaker to take part. Book one ticket per school. The event link can be used for multiple classes.