The Stuarts and The English Civil Wars
Welcome to our guide to Stuart England and the English Civil Wars, where you can learn about England’s history, discover more about our sites and find loads of fun things to watch, read and do! Here's what we've got in store for you:
Why do we remember, remember the 5th of November?
Every 5th of November, many people go to see spectacular firework displays, which light up the night with sparkling, whooshing, banging displays of colour. But why do we remember this night each year?
On this page, we’ll explore the true story behind Bonfire Night; discover who Guy Fawkes was; and find out why fireworks are such an important part of the celebrations.
Discover the story!Smashing Stuart and Civil Wars videos
-
Meet the woodward of Boscobel House
Discover what life was like at Boscobel House in the Stuart era, and find out how King Charles II escaped from Oliver Cromwell’s army using Boscobel’s hiding places. Then make your own mini model of the house!
-
Meet a Stuart master Horseman
Master horseman William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle, is looking for new grooms to learn the art of manège, which has since become the sport of dressage. Watch the video to see how it’s done.
-
A Day in the Life Episode 8: Stuarts
Watch this video to see a day in the life of Oliver, who works for the huntsman at Audley End House, a huge mansion in Essex, in 1680.
Civil Wars board game: Play Roundheads vs. Cavaliers
It’s 1643 and the Civil War between the Roundheads and the Cavaliers is raging, but who will get the upper hand? Choose your side and embark on a race to the finish by becoming the first to beseige and claim all 12 English Heritage castles across the country! The fate of England is in your hands, but have you got what it takes to claim victory?
Play the gameThings to make and do: get creative with our Stuart themed activities
Make a model of Roaring Meg!
During the Civil War, Goodrich Castle in Herefordshire was occupied by Royalists, but Parliamentarians were determined to capture it. Roaring Meg fired huge explosive shells high into the air and over the castle walls, and the defenders soon surrendered.
Fancy making your own version of Roaring Meg? Download your templates and follow the instructions in Kids Rule! magazine to create a cardboard model that fires Styrofoam balls!
Download your templates-
Make a cavalier hat
It wasn’t just clothes and facial hair that gave the Stuarts their distinctive look: they also wore hats with extravagant feathers. Follow this step-by-step guide to make your own stylish hat.
-
Design a Stuart newspaper
Design the front page of a Stuart newspaper. Learn about Stuart newspapers and read our handy hints on what to include on a newspaper front page, then create your own.
-
Colour a Stuart poster
Download this colouring sheet to create your own version of our Stuart history timeline poster! Get creative with coloured pencils, pens or paints to bring the scene to life.
-
More things to make and do
Browse our best ideas and get hands-on and crafty with history – there’s plenty to be inspired by. Simply download our easy-to-use templates and instructions, and get making!
THE KIDS RULE! GUIDE TO the English Civil Wars (Issue 20)
Read Kids Rule! magazine online to learn about life during the English Civil Wars, who was on which side of the conflict, kings on the run and lots more!
This is issue 20 in our series of Kids Rule! magazines following the history of England. Each issue is designed to help you discover more about our properties through fun facts, illustrated stories, games, puzzles and competitions. So, what are you waiting for?
Read Kids Rule! onlineAre you a Cavalier or a Roundhead?
Would you support parliament and be a Roundhead? Or are you a Cavalier on the king’s side? Take our quiz to find out!
Take the quiz!THE KIDS RULE! GUIDE TO STUART ENGLAND (Issue 8)
Read Kids Rule! magazine online to learn about life in Stuart England, including who ruled and how the country was ruled, the English Civil War, kings on the run and lots more!
This is issue 8 in our series of Kids Rule! magazines following the history of England. Each issue is designed to help you discover more about our properties through fun facts, illustrated stories, games, puzzles and competitions. So, what are you waiting for?
READ KIDS RULE! ONLINE
STUART POSTER: MAKE YOUR MEGA TIMELINE
We've created a series of posters showing how people lived in England through the ages, like this one showing life in Stuart England.
Each of the posters follows on from each other, so that when you download them all from the Kids Rule! pages, you can create your own mega timeline of English history!
DOWNLOAD YOUR POSTER
