Story of Henry the Forgetful!
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
TOKE GS CA IN N S A A L B and Odiham Castle The Story of ry The Forget Hen ful Story Trail www.hants.gov.uk/storytrails Basingstoke Canal and Odiham Castle Basingstoke Canal runs for 32 miles through scenic countryside between Greywell Village in Hampshire and Woodham in Surrey. Originally a transport system for agricultural produce, it had become derelict by the mid-1960’s, fuelling a campaign for its restoration. This resulted in its current renewed linkage into the 2,000 miles of British inland waterways. Designated as a Site of Special and Scientific Interest, it is an outstanding habitat for aquatic plant and animal life, with natural springs in the canal bed helping to keep it in water. Carefully restored canal bridges, the lakes and flashes near Mytchett and the flights of locks in Surrey are just some of the many features of the canal. Greywell Tunnel is especially interesting as it is home to many species of bats. After its collapse in 1932 it now blocks navigation to the original end point at Basingstoke. Another important feature of the canal is Odiham Castle, one of three strongholds built by King John, and the place from which he rode out to Magna Carta in 1215. Construction took place between 1207 and 1214 and involved setting out square moats and raising banks. In 1216, shortly after it was finished, it suffered a two-week siege at the hands of the French. During the 13th century it became home to the de Montfort family, and would have been one of the most powerful households in the land at the time. During the 14th century it was a prison to a Scottish king for eleven years, but was being used less and less. By the 15th century it was used only as a hunting lodge and eventually fell into ruin. For more information, see www.hants.gov.uk/basingstoke-canal and http://www3.hants.gov.uk/countryside/odiham-castle.htm Look out for these symbols Getting there (car/rail/bus): in the booklet: From the M3 junction 5, take the A287 towards Farnham and Odiham. 1 Follow the route After /3 mile turn right onto Hook Rd and follow the road for 1 mile into Can you answer the village. Look for the Fox & Goose the question? pub on the right. Action Follow the trail of Henry The Forgetful Accessible Parking: You may be able to park in the car park of the Fox & Goose pub. Alternatively, park at the side of the road in the village centre. Toilets: There are no toilets on site Route length: 1.6km / 1 mile Surfaces: Compacted earth and stone, generally firm and even. May be some shallow puddles after rain. Gradients: There is a short, steep slope up and down at the beginning and end of the trail where the path goes over the Greywell tunnel; otherwise the route is level. Seating/rest points: Benches at the castle and as indicated on the map. Please note: There is currently a high kerb to be negotiated at the start of the route; sadly, this may mean the trail is inaccessible to some people. Most of the trail is close to open water – please take care when following the route with your family. The Story of the Henry The Forgetful Start where the path goes over the entrance to the tunnel. Hello everyone, I’m the Story Snail. Welcome to the story of Henry the Forgetful! I will be your guide as you move through the story. Stop at each of my markers and read that section of the story. Enjoy yourselves and don’t forget to add your own ideas to make your story unique. 1 HENRY THE FORGETFUL It is June in the Year of Our Lord 1216. A local farmer stops you and asks if you are looking for work. He needs farm labourers and will pay a good wage and supply lodgings. “Or are you one of these Pilgrims? I just met a tired fellow along the way and he refused my offer, saying that he had to get to Canterbury. That’s a long way to go…especially without shoes!” The farmer ambles off. A haggard and tired figure passes this way. His name is Henry the Forgetful and he’s a pilgrim walking from Winchester to Canterbury, where he hopes to find a cure for his dreadful forgetfulness. Are you ever forgetful? Can you think of any times when you’ve forgotten to put your shoes on, or forgotten to bring your P.E. kit to school? Can you see signs of farming machinery? Would it have been the same in 1216? Follow the route along the towpath. Well, Henry the Forgetful is the most forgetful person ever. As he walks past you he says, “Hello! Lovely day. I’ve been walking so long my shoes are worn out…oh, where are my shoes? I must have left them back at Winslade when I stopped to wash my feet in the pond. Oh dear.” Then he walks a few metres, turns back and says, “Hello! Lovely day. I’ve been walking so long my shoes are worn out…oh, where are my shoes? I must have left them back at Winslade when I stopped to wash my feet in the pond. Oh dear.” Have a look around and have a good listen too. In 1216 it would have looked different here. The canal and the bridge wouldn’t have been here. The fields to the left would probably have been much the same though. Carry on along the towpath. 2 THE PATH Henry trudges along. He is what is known as a pilgrim. That means he is travelling on a long journey to a place which is important to him. Henry wants to get to Canterbury in Kent. It is a long walk and his meandering journey has brought him to Odiham. He enjoys strolling along, meeting people as he goes and listening to the birds singing. Sometimes he plays tunes on his flute (if he can remember them). He catches fish in the rivers for his dinner. Suddenly Henry hears a noise and looks to his left. There, across the fields, he can see an encampment. There are tents and what looks like a great army of men. There are also great siege engines, huge wooden war machines on wheels. Henry hides behind some bushes and secretly peeks at the army. Then he quietly moves on. Have you ever been on a long journey? Did you walk or did you go by car or train or plane? If you could go anywhere, where would you go? Henry has seen an army, who do you think it could be? Go along the path until you come to the bench where the canal widens. 3 THE MOAT Henry arrives at the moat which surrounds the castle. (The moat isn’t actually here any more, so let’s imagine the canal is the moat!) He sits down and thinks. He has heard about an army, led by Louis, Dauphin of France, which has been attacking castles in the South of England. They were last seen in Portchester, near Portsmouth…have they come here? Suddenly Henry jumps as several rabbits come scuttling out of the bushes. They bound around in circles and then disappear in all directions. A young man stumbles through the bushes and lands at Henry’s feet. He gets up, brushes himself off and mutters something in a foreign language. He looks all around for the rabbits then walks back along the path. Henry thinks…French. He was speaking in French. Oh my goodness, the French Army! Henry must tell someone. What will he say? What facts does he know? Go along and stop outside the castle. 4 THE CASTLE Henry must warn the people in the castle. The King himself might be here! Henry runs up to the gates of the castle. Hurry to the castle. Go round to the right and stop by the front door. “They’re coming, they’re coming!” He shouts. He waves his arms, trying to make himself seen. A soldier looks out at him. “What are you saying?” “They’re um…there’s an…er…um…” Henry racks his brain, trying to remember…oh, what was it? His memory has failed him again. He saw something along the path…what was it? Suddenly he remembers. “Rabbits. There are rabbits coming along the path; lots of them.” The soldier laughs. “Well, thank you kind Sir. I’m sure we can defend ourselves against an army of rabbits! We are only three knights, three esquires and seven soldiers. I will send someone out to catch some for our supper.” The soldier laughs again and closes the shutter. Stop here and explore the castle. Go out and turn right and go back the way you came. Stop at the marker. 5 BACK ALONG THE PATH Henry turns and walks back along the path. He’s sure there was something else he was supposed to say. Never mind, it’s a lovely day. The sun is shining and the birds are singing. Henry takes out his flute and plays a little tune. He realises his feet are hurting and so he decides to go back to Winslade to find his shoes. How many people were in the castle? Can you remember any other interesting facts? While you’re going along the path have a listen. What can you hear? 6 THE FIELDS Henry looks out across the fields.