The Vikings: why did they come to the British Isles?
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Why this why now
This unit uses and builds on the knowledge of Anglo-Saxon England that pupils developed in the previous two units. The political, social and military consequences of Viking invasion are contextualised by the knowledge pupils have of Anglo-Saxon England. It also develops pupils' causal understanding from previous units such as when pupils examined Claudius' reasons to invade Britain. This unit prepares pupils for a study of Viking life and for their study of how Viking settlement ultimately led to a united England, both studied in year 6.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Pupils need to know that culture in Britain has changed significantly across the course of human history.
- Pupils need to know that societies change across time, but each society adds an additional layer of complexity to history of the area.
- Pupils need to understand that British history has been affected by migration of people for as long as people have lived in Britain.
- Pupils should have a decent grasp of how Anglo-Saxon settlement had affected Britain.
- Pupils should have a good understanding of the main Anglo-Saxon kingdoms in Britain.
Threads
Why this why now
This unit uses and builds on the knowledge of Anglo-Saxon England that pupils developed in the previous two units. The political, social and military consequences of Viking invasion are contextualised by the knowledge pupils have of Anglo-Saxon England. It also develops pupils' causal understanding from previous units such as when pupils examined Claudius' reasons to invade Britain. This unit prepares pupils for a study of Viking life and for their study of how Viking settlement ultimately led to a united England, both studied in year 6.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Pupils need to know that culture in Britain has changed significantly across the course of human history.
- Pupils need to know that societies change across time, but each society adds an additional layer of complexity to history of the area.
- Pupils need to understand that British history has been affected by migration of people for as long as people have lived in Britain.
- Pupils should have a decent grasp of how Anglo-Saxon settlement had affected Britain.
- Pupils should have a good understanding of the main Anglo-Saxon kingdoms in Britain.
The Vikings: why did they come to the British Isles?
n this unit, pupils learn about the period in which Viking invaders first came to Britain. They learn about the Vikings themselves and the conflict that emerged between them and the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England. Pupils also learn about the roles of Aethelred and Alfred the Great in this period.
6 lessons in unit
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