Writing the fact file Fact or fiction Fact

Writing the fact file Fact or fiction? Fact Information that is true and correct. There is evidence or proof to support this information. Fiction Something that has been made up and is not true. An imaginative story that has been written or told for entertainment.

Writing the fact file When we write a Vlad flea story we do a lot of research to find out accurate information. However, Vlad is a fictional narrator and there are some things that are likely but cannot be proved absolutely. For example we think that at some point during her life Elizabeth had a guinea pig amongst her exotic animals, but we don’t know exactly when this was. We have given her a guinea pig during her time in the Tower of London to help the story and give Vlad a friend that moves him where the action is. We have done this to make a smooth story, not to trick anyone. So the fact file is an opportunity to be clear about what information is based on known facts and what is part of the story. Test your historical knowledge with the following quiz and then look at the activity to help write clear factual information for the readers.

There were pet guinea pigs in England. True or false?

True There is evidence in painted pictures and from bones found during excavations that show guinea pigs were kept as pets at this time.

Elizabeth was sent to the Tower of London by her older sister, Queen Mary. True or false?

True There is a lot of written evidence such as letters and notes from meetings that tell us about Elizabeth’s imprisonment in the Tower of London.

Elizabeth was brought into the Tower through Traitors’ Gate. True or false?

False There are written records that explain that the tide was wrong for Elizabeth to have arrived through Traitors’ Gate and show she entered over the drawbridge.

There was a menagerie at the Tower of London which held wild animals including lions. True or false?

True There are lots of records of the animals given as gifts to different monarchs and records of purchases to feed them.

Elizabeth had a guinea pig in the Tower which escaped and went to the menagerie. True or false?

False This is a fictional part of the story to provide adventure and give an opportunity to write about the menagerie.

Elizabeth was kept as a prisoner for 62 days in the Tower of London. True or false?

True There are records of the prisoners in the Tower and the dates on which they entered and left.

Elizabeth was kept in a dungeon and tortured. True or false?

False Records show that Elizabeth was kept in the royal apartments and had 12 of her servants with her.

Elizabeth was executed for treason. True or false?

False There are letters, accounts and reports about Elizabeth’s journey to the Midlands and time at Woodstock Palace.

Elizabeth became queen. True or false?

True Four years later, when her sister Mary died, she became Queen Elizabeth I.

Summary We now know: • The Vlad stories are based on historical fact and there are records and images to support this • That there are some fictionalised parts that help fill gaps and create adventures to excite readers and keep them interested

For more information about this project and other Vlad flea books, activities and school visits go to: www. readingriddle. co. uk www. facebook. com/readingriddle @reading_riddle www. instagram. com/vlad_flea www. youtube. com/Readingriddle