How Britain changed after the Romans
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe how Britain changed after the Romans left.
Key learning points
- Without the Roman legions to defend it, Germanic tribes invaded and quickly settled across Britain.
- They established seven great Anglo-Saxon kingdoms that rivalled one another.
- By the late 8th century Mercia was the most powerful kingdom following the rule of Offa and Cynethryth.
- Christianity withered away, but returned in the 6th and 7th centuries, eventually spreading across Britain.
- In Scotland, the Picts were joined by Irish Scots who brought Gaelic culture with them.
Keywords
Rivalled - rivalled means to have competed with someone and tried to be better or more successful than them
Withered - if something has withered it has gradually declined or shrunk
Gaelic - Gaelic is the traditional language and culture of groups such as the Scots and Irish
Common misconception
As Christianity was popular in Roman times before its return, pupils may think this isn't a change.
Due to two forms of Christianity being practiced before the Synod of Whitby, there was a significant change to religion in Britain.
Teacher tip
There are lots of modern day country names used in this lesson (Germany, Denmark, Scotland). Ensure that the children know that these places as we know them today were not called this at the time.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What Anglo-Saxon kingdom was ruled by King Offa and Queen Cynethryth?
Q2.What is the Anglo-Saxon term for a king that felt they were the ruler of all of Britain?
Q3.Where was 'Offa's Dyke'?
Q4.Starting with the earliest, put these events in chronological order.
Q5.What was the only Anglo-Saxon kingdom not conquered by Mercia by 800 CE?
Q6.What is the name given to religious beliefs that differ from the main or recognised religions?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What major event in British history allowed the Anglo-Saxons to migrate and settle in Britain?
Q2.Which three parts of Europe did the Germanic tribes come to Britain from?
Q3.Match the word to its correct definition.
to have competed with someone to be better than them
to have gradually declined or shrunk
the Angles, Saxons and Jutes tribes who arrived after the Romans left
Q4.What modern-day British nation did the Picts call home before and during the Anglo-Saxon period?
Q5.Starting with the earliest, sort these events into chronological order.
Q6.What is the name given to the traditional language and culture of the Scots and Irish?
To help you plan your 5 history lesson on: How Britain changed after the Romans, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 history lesson on: How Britain changed after the Romans, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 history lessons from the Britain's settlement by Anglo-Saxons: what changed after the Romans left? unit, dive into the full primary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.