Postcards From The Past: Lockdown Competition Entries

It's Neil Armstrong. I'm really annoyed that i don't get to go on the moon yet. I am also slightly relieved as I hear take-off is very intense. Hopefully, when this pandemic is all finished, me, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins can blast off to the moon. From Neil A | William, 8, Essex

I am so sick of this lockdown! We have just moved to Thebes and I have had no time to explore this beautiful city. Luckily, the palace has plenty of goat and ox for us to eat, but I am bored, bored BORED! But maybe I can get someone to play mehen with me. Love from Tutankhamun | By Teddy, 7, Essex

Dear Æthelflæd my lovely daughter. I hope you are well in Mercia. Here in Wessex we are all well and coping. It is rather nice to get away from the Danes. I have been able to use this time getting my army stronger and more skilful for the battles that lie ahead after lockdown. Yours sincerely, King Alfred | By Ruma, 12, England

I am working very hard with my nurses to keep hospitals clean and help people get better from coronavirus. Thank you for clapping for us! Florence Nightingale | By Noah, 6, West Yorkshire

I am keeping safe here in London. I continue to work with Sir Almroth Wright, but have been pulled away from my research on the flu virus to concentrate full time on finding a vaccine for Covid-19. This has meant long hours in the labs at St Mary's, with little time to sleep, but I am keen to do all I can whilst the death rate continues to rise. We have had to re-organise the lab to keep socially distanced, and PPE has at times been difficult to come by. My colleague Amalia has been stuck in Greece and unable to return to work as she awaits a flight back to the UK. Take care, look after each other. Alexander Fleming | By Niamh, 12, Kent

I cannot be paraded in the streets! Octavius will not win this battle, because after sending off my children , I shall... Oh. Word from Rome has come – we have to isolate! I shall pray to Thoth, god of wisdom. All Egyptians shall pray to Ra and Thoth. I can't isolate! Please let me isolate with Antony, my ... love? I have time to plan, as mass gatherings are cancelled. I know! I shall give my life not to embarrass my legacy| By Indira, 11, Kent

I am Queen Laxmibai of Jhansi (India). Since Britain has invaded my land, I have been training women to ride and fight. The lockdown has given me more time to practice my skills. Unlike most women of my time, I spend lots of time reading and writing. I'm worried that our food supplies will run out and we will be too weak to fight. Whatever happens, I will not give up my Jhansi. Love Queen Laxmibai, 1857 | Gayathri, 7, Essex

Lockdown is getting so annoying now. I am dying to see my ship and crew, and it will be very different when we are all back together. It's really hard getting hold of food at the moment and I am losing money rapidly. But because I am rich it does not make a difference. Love Captain Drake | Gus, 10, Shropshire

Since being put into lockdown I have been missing my dearest Josephine. Looking on the up side, no countries can invade France so I am having a lovely break from fighting. From Boney | By Florence, 11, Gloucestershire

I have two children. They help me dig for things because I am an archaeologist, but I cannot go out to dig anymore. I need to dig, thats my hobby. That's why I love to dig. Howard Carter | By Ethan, 7, Essex

I am quite enjoying quarantine. It is giving me more time to write my poetry. I have been taking Luath my dog on our daily walk, as my one exercise a day. Today on our walk I saw a beautiful red rose and a beastie of a mouse. Although I am looking forward for this to finish because I would like to sing my new song (Auld Lang Syne), as a rejoice to this time. I look forward to writing more poems and seeing everyone. Robert Burns | By Darcy, 11, Glasgow

My country is currently in lockdown. All the scientists and doctors are working hard to find a cure and keep everyone safe. Since this state, I have not been able to get any belladonna to put in my eyes. However, for some unknown reason, I can read what I am writing to you a lot better than I could read the letters I was writing to people before lockdown. I hope to visit soon. Your sincerely, your queen Elizabeth

Dearest Hans Albert, Hope all is well during these times and I hope Freda and the children are doing good. I am missing you all terribly but I am using this time wisely to study. My home is quiet, so plenty of time to concentrate and complete my theory of relativity and the energy equivalence formula. Take care, love dad! Albert Einstein x | By Emmi, 12, Tyne & Wear

My name is Henry VIII. I am living in lockdown in Windsor Castle. I am loving the chance to eat lots of banquets. My favourite is minced meat pies. I think I hare is the best but pigeon, rabbit and pork are good too! I go for a daily walk around the castle grounds, but I don't like exercising. I prefer sitting on my throne and watching my servants win sporting events for me. I'm getting annoyed with my wife, Anne Boleyn. I've heard that she's been spotted with another man. I think the best thing to do is behead her. It's a bit sad but I'm sure I will find another wife. I may even start planning another wedding. There's a lady called Jane Seymour. I wonder if she likes me? Mind you, weddings are banned at the moment, but I'm sure that rule doesn't count for the king! Your king, Henry VIII| by Noah, 9, Suffolk

I am currently in lockdown in my birth town of Atlanta, Georgia. I want to help a lady called Rosa Parks. Her story has inspired me – she was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white person on the bus. It is going to change everything. How can we peacefully protest but at social distance? It will be difficult but I am determined. I have a dream. Yours faithfully, Martin Luther King | By Gabriel, 12, Manchester

Oh thank goodness coronavirus is here and we are in lockdown. Hopefully now a knight won't come and throw a sword and slice part of my skull off and my brains won't spill all over the cathedral floor. As I am the Archbishop of Canterbury, I am now stuck in my cathedral all alone. To occupy myself, I check on all of the other bishops and see if they're ok. Thomas Becket | By Emilia, 8, Cheshire

Smallpox has really taken over Britain. Now we're in lockdown. No one can get food because the crops are rotting in the fields, even rich people like me! I'm a highwayman (not a key worker) so lockdown is keeping me really unoccupied. I can socially distance with my pistol but there's no one to rob! Yours sincerely, Dick Turpin | By Rory, 7, West Midlands

I am safely locked away. My mum is working as hard as ever because she is a nurse. Our neighbour's house got bombed yesterday by the Germans, so they are now staying with us. We have to share all our clothes and food with them. Luckily I am the same age as the girl in their family. I wish this war would end soon. The roaring sounds of the planes scares me. Love Emily | By Emily, 10, London

Now that it is lockdown, I miss boxing. Boxing is my passion! I also can't run civil rights campaigns anymore and I am afraid my hard work might go to nothing. I miss my family, my passion, and my supporters but I hope they are all doing okay. From Muhammad Ali | By Rebecca, 13, Kent

I am hating lockdown. It is even worse than when my dad had my mummy's head cut off!! At least it leaves time for me to practice my lute, dance, sing, horse riding and watch plays. Those are my favourite things to do. I cannot go near my dirty slaves. The bad thing is they have to put the food on the floor two metres away from me. That means I have to keep on getting up and down to get my food. I can't wait for lockdown to end. Love Queen Elizabeth the 1st xx | By Sadie, 8, Essex

I have a dream that after lockdown, we will have our freedom back. After being with our family, I hope we can appreciate each other more. When we start to integrate with the world again, I hope we can treat each other equally and reduce the amount of hate we have for each other. We will come out of this soon and we will be stronger and better people. ML King | By Jake, 13, Kent

I am stuck at home and I really want to see Mark Antony but at the moment he is stuck at home too. I also want to see Berenie and Philopator my older siblings, and Arsinoe and Ptolemy, my younger siblings. I really want to talk to them. I think lockdown is so boring. I can't even see my friends. From Cleopatra | By Aaria, 7, Essex

Hello, I must inform you that I am feeling awful bored and lonely during this time. One must say that I miss Albert dearly. Queen Victoria xxx | By Sophie McErlean, 12, County Antrim

I, Cyrus the Great, king of kings, wake up in the morning to exercise in my beautiful gardens. Then, after breakfast, I used to meet my advisors and guests from all over the empire to receive gifts and to give orders and advise on the matter of states. Then, we used to go to the great hall of kings for banquet and entertainment. After the banquet, I used to retire to my room and attend to personal affairs. Because of the lockdown I cannot perform the state duties and I am clueless as to what is happening in my empire. | By Romy, 12, London

I designed this wonderful outfit, but when lockdown came no one could buy it. I'm designing lots of other clothes to keep myself occupied, but yet again no one can buy them! I'm dying to know when lockdown is over. Love from Coco Chanel | By Macy, 9, Lincolnshire

I am a Roman centurion in charge of a century of legionaries (10 contubernia, 8 men equals a contubernium, which means I am in charge of 80 legionaries). A thing I learned today is that the word 'military' means soldier in Latin. Another Latin word is testudo, which means tortoise. Testudo is a tactic where everyone uses their shields to cover any parts that are vulnerable (except our feet). Then, we can march into battle, fully protected in attack and defence. | By Ziyang, 9, London

Life was already hard and tough. Girls like me were lucky to make it to our 1st birthday as 40% died before reaching this. 40 is considered old! I am faced with a disease, starvation and punishment. We have no police force to control the streets and insist on people staying home. I'll be lucky if I make it to 40. I need to escape TB, dysentery and the summer influenza. That's a mystery killing people in less than 24 hours as a result of sweating to death. My mother survived this. She gave me an amulet to wear and protect me from harm. I hope to get through it and reach the throne one day. | By Olivia, 9, County Durham

Hello. I thought I would let you know that I am ok in lockdown but frustrated as I had planned to put together a protest to stop racial segregation. Disappointingly, that won't be happening because we have to social distance, and as you probably realise, that would be a big challenge! Stay safe! Kindest regards, Rosa Louise McCauley Parks xx | By Lily, 10, Cheshire

I'm very sad today because I can't go down to the beach and collect fossils, one of my favourite pastimes. So I'm reading the book my friend Elizabeth Philpot gave me and I can't wait for the lockdown to be over so I can go out again and discover more fossils. Lots of love and stay safe. Mary Anning | By Isidora, 8, Essex

Historians may call this lockdown. But there can be no lockdown where there is freedom. I've been in isolation inside this jailer almost 27 years. No bed. No family. No despair. Just pen, paper, peace, hope and a vision. There are ignorant minds surrounding me, chained by their own prejudice. It is only within their minds that this pitiful lockdown exists. Nelson Mandela | BY Christopher Blake Turner, 13, London

September 1536. My second wife Anne Boleyn has been misbehaving and I had no choice but to dispose of her. This now leaves me free to marry my new love, Jane Seymour. However, this rotten pandemic has put the mockers on things and now I cannot see her, oh how I miss her! Although I have still been keeping myself busy, eating huge feasts and entertaining myself with my many servants and my jester. Also my wonderful artist, Hans Holbein is painting a portrait of me to send to Jane. Best wishes. Henry VIII | By Francesca, 9, Essex

Up until now, I've been very busy looking after the brave injured soldiers, but now I am trying to beat the coronavirus which is another battle we are trying to win. There are so many sick patients. Our hospital is very crowded and we don't have many beds left. We are trying to keep the hospital clean but it is very hard, because nurses are getting sick too. We are also very low on food and water and I am frightened we will run out of medicine. Florence N | By Ava, 7, Essex

I am safe and well. I hope you are too. I've been missing my superheroes and making movies for everyone. I wish my superheroes were real, I would assemble my avengers and they would save us all. Maybe choose a good idea for a new comic. I can write it when I'm in lockdown. Like Odin, Thor's dad, said: "For men must never feel a cause is hopeless, men must never feel an enemy cannot be beaten." Stan Lee | By Aimee, 7, Essex

It's hard to defend the castle because we can't use swords. We can only use bows and arrows. People attack us more because of Covid-19. If they come in we will all get the virus. The same in the fort. We have to stay two metres apart. Some people tried training the horses to use a bow and arrow. From a knight. | Ellery, 8, Northumberland

Out of all times lockdown could have happened, of course it happened now. I'm stuck at Hampton Court Palace with Henry. The divorce was underway and I was getting my money and land, but now I'm stuck with Henry. I try and stay away from him but the palace is only so big. I'm sick of being known as the ugly wife. I need to go, now! | Isabelle, 13, Greater Manchester

Dear Seneca, I am finding staying at home hard. My mum is really annoying me! I have made my own Olympics in the garden and I have learnt how to make my own candles. Every Thursday I make my neighbours listen to me play the lyre for the NHS. Nero x | Joseph, 6, Merseyside

How are you? Hope you're well. I'm currently settling down for a cold, icy winter. It's going to be quite a harsh one so I'm going to be making myself some lovely mammoth wool clothes and some new tools from its tusks. I'm going to be well prepared for this winter.| Finley, 9, Lancashire

Dear Little John. Remember, John, the animals on the ground have the virus, so stay in the tree house we made for you. Remember, only eat birds and edible leaves. I really want to steal from the rich and give to the poor but I cannot do it!!!! There is nothing to do and I am getting bored of doing nothing. From Robin Hood | Benjamin, 9, Northumberland

Postcards from the past: a selection of entries from our lockdown competition

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Competition entries

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Neil Armstrong – William, 8, Essex

Tutankhamun – Teddy, 7, Essex

Alfred the Great – Ruma, 12, England

Florence Nightingale – Noah, 6, West Yorkshire

Alexander Fleming – Niamh, 12, Kent

Cleopatra – Indira, 11, Kent

Rani Lakshmibai – Gayathri, 7, Essex

Francis Drake – Gus, 10, Shropshire

Napoleon – Florence, 11, Gloucestershire

Howard Carter – Ethan, 7, Essex

Robert Burns – Darcy, 11, Glasgow

Elizabeth I – Amelia, 12, Devon

Albert Einstein – Emmi, 12, Tyne & Wear

Henry VIII – by Noah, 9, Suffolk

Martin Luther King Jr – by Gabriel, 12, Manchester

Thomas Becket – by Emilia, 8, Cheshire

Dick Turpin – by Rory, 7, West Midlands

WWII child – by Emily, 10, London

Muhammad Ali – by Rebecca, 13, Kent

Elizabeth I – by Sadie, 8, Essex

Martin Luther King Jr – by Jake, 13, Kent

Cleopatra – Aaria, 7, Essex

Queen Victoria – by Sophie, 12, County Antrim

Cyrus the Great – by Romy, 12, London

Coco Chanel – by Macy, 9, Lincolnshire

Roman centurion – by Ziyang, 9, London

Elizabeth I – by Olivia, 9, County Durham

Rosa Parks – by Lily, 10, Cheshire

Mary Anning – by Isidora, 8, Essex

Nelson Mandela – Christopher, 13, London

Henry VIII – Francesca, 9, Essex

Florence Nightingale – Ava, 7, Essex

Stan Lee – Aimee, 7, Essex

A knight – Ellery, 8, Northumberland

Anne of Cleves – by Isabelle, 13, Greater Manchester

Nero – by Joseph, 6, Merseyside

Ancient man – Finley, 9, Lancashire

Robin Hood – Benjamin, 9, Northumberland

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