Investigating Lived in by Successive Stewart Kings and Where Mary Queen Linlithgow Palace of Scots Was Born
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Linlithgow Palace was once a magnificent palace, built and INVESTIGATING lived in by successive Stewart kings and where Mary Queen LINLITHGOW PALACE of Scots was born. Information for Teachers investigating historic sites linlithgow palace 2 Timeline Linlithgow Palace was once a After James IV’s death in 1513 on 1143 David I refers to magnificent palace, built and lived the battlefield at Flodden, his widow castle at Linlithgow in by successive Stewart kings and returned to England and the palace 1296 Edward I of England where Mary Queen of Scots was was neglected. Some fifteen years later, invades Scotland and born. Though in ruins now, it is still James V (1513-1542) remodelled parts uses castle as occasional an impressive and exciting site and of the palace, creating the present base provides a wonderful opportunity approach from the town with the outer 1313 Castle retaken by to investigate life at the court of gate and adding the fabulous fountain Scots. Used as royal base the Stewart monarchs. in the courtyard. 1424 Fire destroys castle, church and town Historical background The Stewart kings and queens used 1425 James I orders new Linlithgow Palace as a retreat where Linlithgow Palace was begun in 1425 palace to be built: east they could relax and enjoy themselves by James I (1406-1437) and completed range constructed away from the formalities of Edinburgh almost a century later by his great 1460 James III extends and Stirling castles, and as an escape grandson James IV (1488-1513). James south range from the plague. They could feast I wanted a glittering Renaissance palace 1488 James IV completes in splendour in the great hall, grant far finer than any of his nobles – an west range and builds audiences in their luxurious apartments, north range to complete ambition which cost him an estimated walk in the pleasure gardens and by courtyard one tenth of his income. the loch and hunt in the park. Here, 1538 James V creates new entrance and Building stopped when James was Margaret Tudor gave birth to Prince fountain murdered in 1437 and it was largely James in 1512 and in 1542, Marie of 1542 Mary Queen of left to James’s grandson James III Guise gave birth to Princess Mary, later Scots is born at palace (1460-1488), to continue the building Mary Queen of Scots. work. However, it was not until the 1590 Palace falls out of However, by the late 16th century, use reign of James IV (1488-1513) that the the palace was showing its age and 1607 North range of palace was completed to celebrate his it gradually fell into disrepair. Finally, palace collapses marriage to Margaret Tudor, daughter in 1746 following occupation by 1617 James VI & I orders of Henry VII of England, to whom he government troops in pursuit of the rebuilding of north range presented the palace as a wedding gift. Jacobites, a disastrous fire broke out. 1633 Palace is renovated for the visit of Charles I destroying the palace. Since then it has remained roofless and uninhabited. 1746 Fire destroys palace and it is left in ruins Linlithgow Palace HISTORIC SCOTLAND education linlithgow palace 3 Supporting learning and teaching A visit to Linlithgow Palace Before the visit Working on site is particularly appropriate for teachers working on class study • Discuss what a palace is and how it Pupils should be encouraged to look topics such as: differs from a house or a castle; who for physical evidence. Useful starting • The Middle Ages lived in palaces in the past points are: • The Wars of Independence • Look at maps of the Linlithgow area • What materials were used to and discuss why a palace was built construct the palace? Where did • The Stewart monarchs there they come from? • Mary Queen of Scots • Talk about the Stewart dynasty and • What evidence is there for everyday The Curriculum for Excellence the role of the monarch. If possible, life e.g. cooking, entertaining, aspires to motivate and discuss these figures and events: storage? challenge pupils through a James IV and his marriage to Margaret • What evidence remains of the wide range of varied learning Tudor (the ‘marriage of the Thistle monarchs who lived there? experiences. Site visits have a and the Rose’); his death at Flodden in particular role to play in joining • How was the palace protected 1513 up learning outcomes across against intruders? the curriculum. A visit, and use The life of Mary Queen of Scots • Can you see any ways in which the of the supporting materials, James VI and I – the Union of the palace has changed? will help to: Crowns in 1603 Pupils can record by making notes, • develop successful learners • Discuss the different activities making quick drawings, taking by challenging pupils which would have gone on in photographs, using tape-recorders to to consider how life has a palace. Pupils could research describe what they see, hear, feel and changed for people. It will different topics (e.g. food, travel, smell. help them to think critically entertainment, weapons). about evidence and arrive at On the Historic Scotland website www. their own conclusions. • Some children find it hard to historic-scotland.gov.uk/education_ imagine that the palace was ever unit teachers can find additional • develop confident anything other than a ruin. Discuss resources to help with work on site. individuals. Pupils wilI how buildings change with age These include compiling an Evidence learn about aspects of their community’s past, develop – does the house they live in look Record and a My Impressions Record. the same now as it did a few years an understanding of social Suggestions for follow-up work changes, establish some ago? Has their family made any of their own values and changes to the house? If so, why? Following the visit pupils can pool their communicate their views Discuss how wind and weather findings in groups to create a fuller on different historical and can affect the look of a building as record of the palace and the lives of the social issues. well as the deliberate changes that people who lived and worked there. • develop responsible people choose to make. This could form the basis for a range of citizens. It will help to • It is helpful if pupils know some presentation activities, for example: increase pupils’ social architectural terms as this makes • A guide book for future visitors and historical knowledge discussing on site easier. Useful • A slide show with commentary of and understanding and words might include: courtyard, their visit encourage greater respect chamber, shield, coat of arms, spiral for their own historic and • Imaginative writing based on the stair, turnpike, archway, range, built environment. lives of the inhabitants of the castle prison, drawbridge, portcullis, • develop effective apartment, bower. • Role play based on activities or contributors by broadening events at the palace or on the lives of • As there is so much good evidence pupils’ knowledge and Stewart monarchs. about drawbridges at Linlithgow, it understanding through investigative, creative and would help if pupils could study the critical thinking. mechanics of drawbridges, maybe even making simple models. HISTORIC SCOTLAND education linlithgow palace 4 Plan of Linlithgow Palace On the trail of the Stewart monarchs This tour focuses on the palace as a Stewart residence. There is a lot to see in the palace, so we suggest a tour of seven key locations, marked on the plans to the right: 1 1. Courtyard 2 8 2. Old Entry (internal) 3. Court Kitchen 4. Great Hall 5. Chapel 6. King’s Apartments 7. Queen Margaret’s Bower Outside the palace there is one further location which can be explored as you leave: Ground Floor 8. Old entry (external) 6 Background information is given in the pack for each location. It is 6 3 written in fairly simple language so that it can be read aloud to pupils if desired. Also included 6 are suggested questions for discussion. The focus is on encouraging pupils 4 to interpret the building and deduce what they 6 can from clues they see around them. We suggest that the class is divided into groups 5 of about ten; they can start the tour at different points. Allow at least an hour for the suggested tour. First Floor HISTORIC SCOTLAND education linlithgow palace 5 Tour notes: On the trail of the Stewarts Did you know... Go through the doorway where the office is and into the courtyard. Opposite King James I wanted the door you can see the north range, to the right the east range with the former Linlithgow to be a entrance. wonderful ‘pleasure Location 1: The Courtyard palace’. He spent a tenth Background information for teachers. This can be read to pupils. of all his money on building the palace! • We are now standing inside the courtyard of a royal palace. Five hundred years ago this was one of the most dazzling buildings in Scotland. • The four sides of the palace were all built at different times by different kings. They all wanted to show off and impress people by building in the latest style. It used to be brightly painted with statues on the walls. Can you see the places where the statues used to be? • Can you work out which part of the palace is the oldest? Have a look! It is the east range, on the right of the entrance where we came in. You can see the old gateway entrance. It was built in the 1420s by King James I, nearly six hundred years ago. • The newest part of the palace is still very old.