Master Collection activity 1e: design a fort
Pupils explore the Plan of Valetta and its Harbours.
- What can you see on the map?
- Where is it and what are the strange zig zag structures?
The children investigate fortifications including Tudor, 18th and 19th century castles and fortifications in East Kent, before designing their own.
Learning objectives
Increased knowledge and understanding of the purpose and design of fortifications.
Curriculum links
KS1-4 Art (investigating art)
KS1-3 Design technology (design a fortification)
KS1-2 History (history of fortifications including in Kent and Malta)
Look at the Plan of Valetta and its Harbours on the interactive whiteboard with the whole class (Learn with Objects Master Collection 1: Thomas Man Bridge’s journeys). Think about the following questions:
- What can you see on the plan?
- What is the town called?
- Does anyone know which country it is?
- What buildings are included on the map? (look at the key)
- What are the zig zag lines all around the edge of the island?
- What else can you see?
- Why do you think Valetta was so important?
Fortification design
Valletta’s walls follow the coasts but inland have the zig-zag pattern designed for optimum defence coverage by gunfire. Explore plans of forts, and of cities with defensive walls (circuit or zig-zag ramparts with regularly spaced towers and city gates), e.g.:
- Berwick-upon-Tweed (Elizabethan ramparts with bastions, gateways, earthworks)
- Canterbury (city walls and gates)
- Chester (city walls and gates)
- Dover (Western Heights)
- Rye (city walls and gate)
- York (city walls and gates)
- Deal Castle or Walmer Castle
- Montreuil, Pas-de-Calais; (zig-zag ramparts)
How are they similar to, or different from, the plan of Valletta? Why might this be?
Ask pupils to design their own city or fort.
Learn with Objects links
Use Learn with Objects Master Collection 1: Thomas Man Bridge’s journeys.