Letter: Peasants, kings and inspiring teachers

Sir: So, the trendy theorists are about to defeat the conservative traditionalists in the battle for the history syllabus. Intellect and common sense remain miles apart. Must there always be polarisation without a middle road?

It is of great interest to learn about the life of the peasants in a Saxon village, but it is important to be equally knowledgeable about the leaders who moulded their and our futures. Just as the muscles in the body require a skeleton on which to hang, so does the populace need the support of those, who for whatever reason, are in command. No anatomist would teach students the flesh without the bones; neither should a historian teach our children about life in a feudal village without a knowledge of the landlord and his king.

Yours faithfully,

DONALD G. DAWSON

Sherfield-on-Loddon, Hampshire

5 May