top of page

Unit 2: Norman England, c1066–88

Use the copy of the textbook below to complete the tasks in the PowerPoints:

Anglo-Saxon Textbook

Lesson 1: Edgar and the submission of the Earls

Lesson objectives:

  1. To consider events in the aftermath of the Battle of Hastings

  2. To research the significance of Edgar the Atheling

  3. To analyse the submission of English nobility to William
     

Edgar and the submission of the Earls

Lesson 2: Rewarding followers and establishing control

Lesson objectives:

  1. To consider why William created the Marcher Earldoms.

  2. To identify the key features of the Marcher Earldoms. 

  3. To examine the significance of the locations of Norman castles. 
     

​

Rewarding followers and establishing control

Lesson 3: Castles

Lesson objectives:

  1. To consider how Castles played an important part in William’s consolidation of power after the conquest

  2. To identify the key features of Norman castles. 

  3. To examine the psychological, societal and military benefits of castles for the Normans. 
     

Castles

Lesson 4: Edwin and Morcar

Lesson objectives:

  1. To understand why Earls Edwin & Morcar revolted against William in 1068.

  2. To explain the outcomes of the revolt in 1068. 
     

Edwin and Morcar

Lesson 5: Edgar and the Northern rebellions 1069

Lesson objectives:

  1. To consider why Edgar the Aethling rebelled against William in 1069

  2. To consider why there was so much public unrest in the year 1069 & how William dealt with it. 
     

Edgar and the Northern rebellions 1069

Lesson 6: Hereward the Wake and rebellion at Ely, 1070-71

Lesson objectives:

  1. To reflect on Williams changing attitude to Edwin & Morcar

  2. To explain the role of Hereward the Wake in opposition to William

  3. To examine the reasons for the failure of rebellions against William
     

Hereward the Wake and the rebellion at Ely, 1070-71

Lesson 7: The Harrying of the North

Lesson objectives:

  1. All to be able to explain what the Harrying of the North was.

  2. Most to be able to explain why William acted in such a brutal manner 

  3. Some to evaluate the most important reason William ordered the Harrying.
     

The Harrying of the North

Lesson 8: Storybook Project: How did William secure his new conquest

Lesson objectives:

  1. To understand how William secured his kingdom

  2. To be able to evaluate how much of a threat each rebellion was.

  3. To be able to explain what the outcome of these rebellions were.

Storybook Project

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3

Lesson 9: Key assessment on Harrying

Key Assessment on Harrying 

Essay Planning

Lesson 10: Landownership

Lesson objectives:

  1. All to be able to explain the changes in landownership from Anglo-Saxon to Norman, 1066–87.

  2. Most to make a judgment about why William set up landownership in his Kingdom this way.

  3. 3. All to gain an introductory understanding of the Domesday book
     

Landownership

Changes

in Landownership

Lesson 11: Feudalism

Lesson objectives:

  1. To be able to explain who Harold Godwinson was and why he was so powerful. 

  2. To analyse Harold’s relationship with Edward the Confessor.

  3. To consider the significance of Harold’s embassy to Normandy.

Feudalism

Lesson 12: Revolt of the Earls

Lesson objectives:

  1. To be able to describe what happened in 1075.

  2. To understand why the earls revolted.

  3. To analyse what the key features of the revolt were.
     

Revolt of the Earls

Storyboard

Lesson 13: Normanisation of the Church

Lesson objectives:

  1. To examine changes to the Church in England.

  2. To consider the role of the church in society and its relationship to government, including the roles of Stigand and Lanfranc. 

  3. The measure the impact of Normanisation and reform of the Church in the reign of William I.

Normanisation of the Church

Starter

Lesson 14: Essay Plan

​

Essay Plan

Essay Plan

Lesson 15: Summary of Changes William and Feudalism

Lesson objectives:

  1. To be able to explain 5 strategies William used to successfully conquer England once the Battle had been won.

  2. To interpret primary sources from the period.

  3. To decide whether it was William who introduced Feudalism to England

Summary of changes William and Feudalism

Activities 1

Activities 2

Lesson 16: Norman changes to government and rule

Lesson objectives:

  1. To reflect on what we already know about how the Normans changed England.

  2. To identify the change and continuity to systems of government.

  3. To apply this understanding to a 4 mark exam question and provide detailed examples.

Norman changes to government and rule

How the Normans governed England

Lesson 17: Change and continuity

Lesson objectives:

  1. To be able to identify areas of change and continuity in society

  2. To be able to identify areas of change and continuity within the church

  3. To be able to identify areas of change and continuity within the government 

Social change after the conquest

The Normanisation of England

Lesson 18: Forest Law

Lesson objectives:

  1. To know how the New Forest got its name

  2. To be able to explain the Forest Law 

  3. To understand why Anglo-Saxon peasants saw it as greedy and cruel

Forest Law

Lesson 19: Essay exam technique

​

Essay Exam Technique

Revision and Card Sort

Word wall and improve

Lesson 20: Norman Culture Poster

Lesson objectives:

  1. To be able to describe what culture is.

  2. To be able to identify key features of Norman culture for the aristocracy

  3. To work in pairs to create a poster or collage demonstrating your understanding of Norman culture

Norman Culture Poster

Norman Culture Poster

Peer Collage Feedback

Lesson 21: Essay exam technique

​

Essay Exam Technique

Lesson 22: Assessment of William of Normandy

Lesson objectives:

  1. To analyse William’s achievements, deeds and character

  2. To present 2 opposing interpretations of William integrating quotes from primary sources
     

Assessment of William of Normandy

Starter William's qualities

Primary sources to be used in William's obituary

Lesson 23: Understanding William's Family Tree

Lesson objectives:

  1. To understand the relationship between William and his sons Robert, William and Henry (in order to understand the infighting between them and the disputed succession later.)

  2. To understand the significance of William’s half-brother Bishop Odo
     

Understanding William's family tree

Template for family tree

Lesson 24: Murder of William Rufus

Lesson objectives:

To understand why there is controversy over the death of King William II (William Rufus)Hunting accident? Or Murder??

Murder of William Rufus

Stanborough History Curriculum

bottom of page