PROJECT: Magic Elections and British Kings and Queens

Imagining that we were residents of magical England I felt as if I lived at that time and took part in those events. All this made me undertake a project.

When we read the book Pages of British History we imagined British history a bit differently, because we were surprised by it and it opened up a field for our activity to make a project.

All times and events have been mixed together in our country. I decided to bring order, and arranged elections. Four candidates supported by the people succeeded in the election campaign to rule the country. They were Boadicea (6th century), King Alfred the Great (9th century), William the Conqueror (11th century) and King Richard the Lionheart (14th century). All of them speak before the electors’. Their speeches might be something like the below:

Boadicea

Historical reference: The Romans attacked Britain in 55 BC. Julius Caesar had brought an army of 100,000 men. The Britons fought desperately but were much weaker than the well trained Romans and soon they were defeated.

Her speech: “My motherland has become a part of the huge Roman Empire. Lots of you have accepted the Roman way of life. But I and other people try to resist our enemies. We revolted. I, your queen, will lead the tribes against the invaders. I will lead my soldiers into the battle myself and encourage my men to fight. Vote for me!”

And she had a lot of success at first, you know. We also know that her army consisted of a wild and ragged band of men. They were surrounded and had to give in.

We made a questionnaire to find out our friends’ opinions and made a survey of our questionnaire. They gave answers why they voted for her: she loved her country; was brave; a great war leader. She thought that death would be better for her than the dishonour and bad treatment in prison. She was not afraid of death and poisoned herself.

King Alfred the Great

Historical reference: The Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms couldn’t resist the Vikings and soon only the Kingdom of Wessex remained free of them. The King of Wessex was Alfred the Great. He did so much good for the people that they called him Alfred the Good.

Here is his supposed speech: “I want you to be real personalities. I will improve the situation in the country and achieve definite aims: you will all read and write, play musical instruments and go in for sport. You will peacefully bring up your children. I am ambitious and gifted, and flexible. Vote for me!”

The questionnaire of the survey shows the pupils’ attitude to this ruler.

Their ideas were: he was a great and kind king. He wanted his people to have schools where they could learn to read and write. He did not want to give his country to the Danes (Vikings).

William the Conqueror

Historical reference: On October 14th in 1066 the Normans won a victory in the Battle of Hastings and started the last invasion in the history of Britain. They brought a new law and a new language.

His supposed speech: “I have achieved definite aims; I have a will to win and a wish to have power! I can risk and I love risk! Vote for me!”

Look what the pupils said: He was progressive and learned. He wanted to know all about his country. He ordered his servants to count all the population in England, their houses and castles and he measured their land. All this information was written in the famous Domesday Book. He set up a new Anglo-Norman Society and linked the fortunes of England with those of Normandy.

King Richard the Lionheart

Historical reference: By about 1070 the Turks had captured the Holy Land and had stopped Christians travelers from visiting the holy places where Jesus had lived. The Pope ordered all Christians to recapture the Holy Land. Knights from all over Europe answered his call. Among them was King Richard The Lionheart.

His speech: “I spent all my life fighting in the Crusades. I’m a bad ruler as I don’t care much about domestic affairs and spend too much money on the wars. But I fight courageously in the Holy Land. People of England! Don’t blame me for your poor life – vote for me!”

Look at the pie chart! 50% of the 6th form pupils supported King Richard the Lionheart and 45% of the students of the 7th form. From our pie charts we see that he won the elections, he produced a good impression on the public, though he did not do anything substantial for the people. What were the people’s arguments? They were: he was very honest before the people; he fought courageously. They respected their King and hoped that one day he would come back and punish his lords who treated them badly. They even thought that the Crusades were necessary and fair; they brought other lands and money back from the battles. And they did not think about the army, it took a lot of money for food, equipment. Many were killed during the wars. The King could calm the people very well and they made a choice in his favour. That’s all!

And who is the winner? Look!

King Richard the Lionheart is!

The core of our project is: we should be fair, we should love our country and its people, and we should live in harmony with ourselves and others.

But, by the way, do you remember the other rulers of Britain? Please, look and revise.

Mary I	King Arthur
Elizabeth I	Henry VIII