Learning on The Move – Liverpool

Apologies for starting off with English, and in this case with the etymology of the city's name. The word 'liver' comes from Old English, meaning thick or muddy and 'pol' meaning a stream or river. The first records have 'Liuerpul' listed in the 1190's, (that is over 800 years ago) a settlement at a point where two rivers meet and went out to sea. The adjective Liverpudlian meaning somebody from Liverpool was first recorded in 1833.

In the Iron Age, Liverpool was sparsely populated. Then it became under Roman influence in about 70AD. We know this from the the coins and jewellery found in 2007 during a dig. After the withdrawal of the Romans the land continued to be framed by native Britons. However, the region was fought over by the local Anglo-Saxons. Then Vikings turned up in the 900's and populated the area and set up an independent ~Viking mini-state with homesteads and hamlets all over the Merseyside.

By the time of the Domesday Book, in 1086, there were larger settlements across the region.

There is a clear link with Runnymede here and our badly behaved king who got in to trouble in 1208 at Runnymede. King John, founded by royal charter in 1207, a small settlement at Liverpool to trade with Ireland and coastal parts of England and Wales. Letters were issued by King John advertising the establishment of a new borough and inviting settlers to come and take up holdings there. Remember he wanted the tax, so, these were not free nor cheap! He also wanted a port and one that was not under the control of the Earl of Chester, there. By the 13th century the are of Liverpool had a grand total of 7 streets.

In 1571, the people of Liverpool found the tax burden of another monarch was too high and they wrote to Queen Elizabeth I saying "her majesty's poor decade town of Liverpool." However, by the end of the sixteenth century, the town began to take advantage of an economic revival. Sadly, in 1699, the first know slave ship to sail from Liverpool departed. At its peak, in the year of 1799, ships sailing from Liverpool carried over 45,000 enslaved people from Africa

During the Great Famine in Ireland, it is estimated that during 1845-52 about 1.3 million people form Ireland passed through the port of Liverpool, many travelling to the far reaches of the British Empire and North America.

Music: The must see, without really saying, is the Beatles Museum. Here you get two subjects for the price of one, history and music. You don't necessarily have to like the Beatles or even know who they are - as the visit here is a very interesting slice of British 1960's culture. There are lots to see connected to the Beatles.

History: There are a number of museum worth a visit in the docks. The First one that is a must for anyone in KS3 is the International Slavery Museum. It is not an easy visit but a very important one. Here you will learn of the untold stories of enslaved people and the historical and contemporary story of modern day slavery.

If you are in KS2 then might find a visit to explore Britain's top secret underground bunker. You were once required to sign the Official Secrets Act simply to get through the door. Luckily now your can explore the labyrinth of rooms and offices from 1945, where over 300 war time staff - Commanders, WRNS and WAAF personnel once occupied, working day and night in the nerve centre of the Battle of the Atlantic. There is also a Museum for WW1 to explore if you have not had enough of war.

There is the Merseyside Maritime Museum, which is all about the seafaring past, 300 hundred years of life and work of Liverpool Docks and Liverpool's close connection to both notorious passenger liners RMS Titanic of the White Star Line and Cunard's RMS Lusitania.

Art: There is a lot of art in Liverpool and you can simply walk around and stumble across it. Take photographs of what you find and then list them to form your own top 10.

There are also the Tate Liverpool and Walker Art Gallery to visit if it is raining. Both of which are interesting places to spend time.

Culture: There are plenty of places to find different aspects of culture from eating Liverpool's famous Scouse (a delicious lamb stew) to food from around the world.