ON A recent visit to Salisbury Cathedral’s archives, a group of eight-year-olds from Woodlands and St Osmond’s Primary Schools discovered some of the real reasons behind the cathedral’s uprooting from Old Sarum and rebuilding on the current site.

Taking part in Stones, Storms and Soldiers, an HLF-funded project designed by the cathedral archivist Emily Naish to introduce primary school children to the archive, the two Year 4 classes from Woodlands Primary and St Osmond’s Primary Schools spent time in the Cathedral archive exploring the cathedral’s move in 1220.

The children saw up close the cathedral’s priceless 13th century cartulary – a book recording all documents kept in the cathedral archive at the time.

Together with archivist, Emily Naish, pupils discovered that chief amongst the church’s reasons for undertaking the move were complaints about harassment for soldiers based at the castle Water and wind were also cited as problems.

Re-enacting the journey made by the Cathedral builders, the children visited Old Sarum and brought stones back to the ‘modern’ Cathedral site.

They also explored the new Magna Carta exhibition, tried their hand at medieval calligraphy using quills and ink and learnt a bit of Latin. Afterwards one youngster said: “I loved writing with quills and ink.” , that’s how people used to write in history you know!”

Caroline Law, class teacher at Woodlands, said: “This wonderful opportunity gave the children the chance to learn not only about the huge impact of the Magna Carta, but also about the history of their local environment.” It was delivered in an active and fun way; what a wonderful and enjoyable experience for us all, thank you to everyone involved!”

The children spent a further two days working in their schools with dance practitioner, Rebecca Seymour creating an immersive event involving movement and mime, which they performed in the Cathedral in front of parents, friends and other pupils.