the Anglo-Saxon fyrd was an army made up of mostly untrained conscripts from England’s peasant population

the housecarl was an elite unit of the Anglo-Saxon army: a well-trained and well-equipped soldier

the knight was the elite unit of the Norman army: a soldier who fought on horseback, riding a specially-trained war horse

a shield wall is a military tactic where soldiers stood in a long line overlapping their shields to form a wall of shields

a feigned retreat is when soldiers pretend to retreat in order to lure the enemy into a more vulnerable position

The Battle of Hastings

History

Anglo-Saxon society

The Anglo-Saxon monarchy

Earldoms and local government in Anglo-Saxon England

The Anglo-Saxon economy and the role of the Church

Edward the Confessor and the House of Godwin

The uprising against Earl Tostig Godwinson

Claimants to the throne in 1066

The battles of Gate Fulford and Stamford Bridge

Reasons for William’s victory at the Battle of Hastings

The submission of the earls in 1066

Rewarding followers and the Marcher earldoms

Motte-and-bailey castles

The Northern and East Anglian rebellions

The Harrying of the North

The legacy of Anglo-Saxon resistance

The revolt of the earls in 1075

The feudal system in Norman England

The Anglo-Norman Church

Change and continuity in Norman England

The significance of Domesday Book

The Norman aristocracy

Bishop Odo of Bayeux

William I and his successors

In this unit, pupils study an aspect of British medieval history in depth. They learn about the social, economic, religious and political events that influenced the lives of those who lived in this period.

British depth study: Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060–88

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

an elite unit of the Anglo-Saxon army: well-trained and well-equipped soldiers

the elite unit of the Norman army: soldiers who fought on horseback

an army made up of mostly untrained conscripts from England’s peasant population

What was the preferred formation of the English army?

Who tipped back his helmet to show he was still alive?

archers' attack from behind the shield wall

Which tactic did William reportedly use to successfully weaken the English shield wall?

Who was defeated at the Battle of Stamford Bridge? 

The {{ }} is the group that was raised to defend the southern coast after Harold Godwinson's coronation.

A group of ships, or all of the ships in a country's navy is known as a {{ }}.

The Vikings were not equipped with weapons.

Harold’s army never crossed Stamford Bridge.

Which of the following statements are important in explaining Harold’s victory at Stamford Bridge?

Who landed on the south coast of England three days after the English victory at Stamford Bridge?

This keyword is used to describe the people injured or killed in a war or in a specific battle.

The Battle of Hastings

Lesson outcome

Content guidance