York's importance to the Vikings
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain why York was important to the Vikings.
Key learning points
- York, a major settlement in the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria, was captured by the Vikings in 866 CE.
- It was an important strategic location between the Ouse and Foss rivers, making it easy to defend and good for trade.
- The Vikings restored the old Roman walls and it quickly became the main Viking city in Britain.
- The Vikings called it Jorvik, which was also the name they used for their kingdom in Britain.
Keywords
Strategic - if something is strategic it is important for success in war or defence
Invasion - invasion means to enter a country armed and capture it
Jorvik - the Vikings renamed York when they captured it to Jorvik
Common misconception
Pupils may think York was only strategically important because the rivers acted as a natural defence.
York was strategically important because the rivers were a natural defence, but they were also key routes for trade.
Teacher tip
You could create a model with pupils which highlights the strategic location of York between the River Ouse and River Foss.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the correct meaning of 'excavate' in history?
Q2.What is the correct word to describe something in history that is protected from loss and damage?
Q3.Match the archaeological method to the correct description.
finding archaeological sites that are only visible from the air
finding artefacts brought to the surface through farming
finding underground archaeological sites
Q4.In what city did the Coppergate discovery happen?
Q5.What historical period were the artefacts found at Coppergate from?
Q6.How many archaeological finds from the Viking period were discovered during the Coppergate excavation?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.When did the Vikings invade York?
Q2.What two reasons made York easier to invade?
Q3.Which two rivers was York located between?
Q4.Why was York a good strategic location for the Vikings?
Q5.Why did the Vikings change the Anglo-Saxon name for York?
Q6.Match the keyword with the correct definition.
something that is important for success in war or defence
means to enter a country armed and capture it
the name given to York by the Vikings
To help you plan your 6 history lesson on: York's importance to the Vikings, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 history lesson on: York's importance to the Vikings, 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 The Vikings: how do we know so much about Viking York? unit, dive into the full primary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.