St Mary’s Field Museum: Medieval Church Art 

Overview: 

Before we build bridges, tunnels, tracks and stations, the largest archaeology programme ever undertaken in the UK is taking place along the line of route. This lesson plan is part of a collection of resources created by Fusion JV, an HS2 supplier who has been managing our archaeological work in Buckinghamshire. 

Students can discover the archaeology and history of Stoke Mandeville in Buckinghamshire through resource packs which include print-out worksheets and exercises to encourage engagement with historic materials in the subjects of art, design technology and history. These downloadable interactive `Dig-ital’ packs offer creative 40 minute workshops that encourage understanding of materials related to the Roman and Medieval time periods of British history.  

The ’Medieval Church Art’ lesson focuses on carvings found in the ruins of St Mary’s Church and encourages pupils to think about the differences between modern and historic views of graffiti. Pupils look at drawings of the real graffiti and discuss what the picture shows, who might have drawn it and why. Pupils then use clay to create their own graffiti designs. 

Learning Objectives: 

• To discover the meanings behind the marks, graffiti and carvings often found in medieval churches like St Mary’s. 
• To learn about the importance of churches to people in Medieval Britain. 
• To understand the job of a stonemason in medieval times. 

Delivery notes: 

This lesson will take about 40 minutes to complete. 

Students will need print outs, air drying clay and plastic or wooden clay carving tools.