a period when there is no clear heir to a position

a person who expects to inherit the property or position of another person when that person dies

1066 and claims to the throne

History

In this unit, pupils learnt about how historians use sources to support their differing accounts of the impact of the Norman Conquest.  In 'Norman England: in what ways did life change for ordinary people' pupils deepen their understanding of how Norman changes to government influenced ordinary people.

In 'The Anglo-Saxons: how do we know about life in Anglo-Saxon England?', pupils learnt about Anglo-Saxon culture and society, and the evidence base for the claims historians make. In this unit pupils learn more about how historians use sources to support their differing accounts of the impact of the Norman Conquest.

In this unit, pupils learn about the causes and conduct of the Norman Conquest of England. They develop their understanding of the sorts of evidence historians use to make claims, and how they do this, building an understanding of how we know about these events.

The Norman Conquest: how do we know about the impact of the Conquest on England?

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

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.

When someone expects to inherit something when another person dies.

When there are conflicting claims about who gets to inherit a position.

When someone breaks their word about something important.

Which **one** of these is the best definition for the term ‘succession crisis’?

caused succession crisis by not clearly naming his heir

got himself crowned king as soon as he could

mother of Edward and William of Normandy’s aunt

Match the people to their role in the succession crisis.

Edward the Confessor told the young William of Normandy he would be his heir.

When visiting Normandy, Harold Godwinson promised to support William's claim.

As soon as Edward the Confessor died, Harold took the throne for himself.

When William heard about Harold's betrayal, he was furious.

William planned to invade England and asked for the Pope's support for this.

Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into the order in which they happened, according to William of Poitiers.

He knew that Edward the Confessor chose William of Normandy as his heir.

He had a close bloodline connection to Edward the Confessor.

He audaciously seized the throne of England.

Which **three** of these did William of Poitiers say about Harold Godwinson in the Gesta Guillelmi?

It states that Edward promised William the throne.

It states that Harold promised to support William’s claim.

It states that Harold was a treacherous liar who broke his promises.

It states that William often had to fight wars against other Norman lords.

Which one of these is **not** a way in which the Gesta Guillelmi seeks to justify or strengthen William’s claim to the throne?

It was written by someone who knew William of Normandy very well.

William of Poitiers was a priest, not a trained historian.

It was written to set out reasons why William’s claim was the strongest.

It was written soon after the events of the succession crisis.

Which **one** of the following best explains why historians think carefully about the claims reported in the Gesta Guillelmi?

Put these periods of British history in order, starting with the earliest.

Which of these regions was **not** an earldom of Anglo-Saxon England?

By this time, Anglo-Saxons worshipped many different gods.

By this time, Anglo-Saxon England was a Christian country.

11th century Anglo-Saxons had many kings, each ruling their own kingdom.

11th century Anglo-Saxons were ruled by one king.

Which **two** of these things were true about Anglo-Saxon England by the 1060s?

seat of a king, also means the power of a king

a noble who is below a duke, governing an earldom

Match the words with the correct definitions.

William of Normandy defeated King Harold II at the Battle of Hastings.

King Harold II defeated Harald Hardrada at the Battle of Stamford Bridge.

King Alfred I defeated the Viking army at Edington.

Which **three** of these events happened in 1066?

something that tells us about history, e.g. a letter

to examine something to discover more about it

to make a demand, to set out your rights to something

to explain or prove why something is right

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

1066 and claims to the throne

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.