The Fire of 1834: When Parliament

Stories from Parliament

Assembly Resource

KS2 KS3

The Fire of 1834: When Parliament

Burned Down

Aim: To consider the events of the Fire of 1834 that destroyed most of the old Palace of Westminster and to consider how democracy relates to places.

Resources:

Audio story with slideshow: Stories from Parliament, The Fire of 1834 and Factsheet can be found here: www.parliament.uk/education/teaching-resources-lesson- plans/fire-of-1834/

Note: The story is about seven minutes long so you might choose to play it in class before or as part of the assembly.

Host the assembly in three steps:

1. Refer to the story and ask the following questions:

Who was the last King to use the old Palace of Westminster as a home? (Henry VIII)

What caused the fire? (Burning too many Tally Sticks)

What was a Tally Stick? (An old way of recording debts on pieces of wood)

Which part of the old Palace was saved? (Westminster Hall)

2. Ask what the building was used for after Henry VIII’s time and what the new Palace of Westminster is still used for today? (It is the home of the Parliament of the United Kingdom)

If helpful explain that Parliament is where the people’s elected MPs meet. Some are members of the Government but all are there to represent their constituents (people who live in their area). It is a form of democracy – giving the people a say in how they are governed.

3. Explain that democracy happens in all sorts of different places and ask children to put their hand up if they agree that democracy can happen in each of the following:

Parliament in Westminster. The Scottish Parliament. The Welsh Assembly. At home

The Northern Ireland Assembly. A local council building. A school council. A playground

Point out that people can be democratic wherever they are. Wherever people discuss ideas and/or make decisions by voting they are being democratic and this can happen in formal settings such Parliaments, Assemblies and Councils and in informal settings like the school playground or even someone’s home.

Time for Reflection

Make reference to the fact that at the start of the story Mrs Wright says, ‘Why shouldn’t the people have a palace to make their laws in?’

Democracy can happen in the Palace of Westminster and in other historic and impressive buildings all over the world, but it can also happen here today in this school or when you are with your friends; in fact anywhere that people meet and make decisions.

Will you get an opportunity to be democratic today?