Edward I: warrior and just ruler
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Edward I successfully united England.
Key learning points
- Edward I was a strong leader and skilled in warfare.
- Edward I wanted to unite England after it had been divided by a civil war between the king and his barons.
- Edward I showed he could be a just ruler, and called a Model Parliament in 1295.
- Parliament persuaded Edward I to expel Jewish people from England.
- Edward I was the first medieval king not to be faced with a civil war.
Keywords
Parliament - parliament, or talking meeting, is the group of political representatives who make laws, grant taxes and advise the king
Just - just is when something or someone is fair or morally correct
Antisemitism - antisemitism is hate or cruel treatment directed at Jewish people
Knightly class - the knightly class is the group of landholders beneath the barons
Common misconception
Involving Parliament with the rule of the land meant there would be more fairness and justice.
Parliament passed discriminatory laws: handing more power to parliament did not necessarily mean a growth in rights and freedoms for all.
Teacher tip
Get students to examine a writ of summons to the parliament of 1295. Ask them to identify why historians call this a ‘Model Parliament’ with a focus on its composition.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
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. , or talking meeting, is the group of political representatives who make laws, grant taxes and advise the king.
Q2.What is a civil war?
Q3.Put the capital cities of England, Wales and Scotland into a south to north order, starting with the capital city that is furthest south, and ending with the one that is furthest north.
Q4.In the feudal system, what was the primary role of knights?
Q5.William the Conqueror was duke of Normandy; where is Normandy located?
Q6.What were the first types of castles built by the Normans in England known as?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In which of these areas was Edward I stronger than his father, Henry III?
Q2.What important political event did Edward I order in 1295?
Q3.Which of these is the best definition of 'parliament' as it was in Edward I's reign?
Q4.Starting with the earliest, place these events in chronological order:
Q5.What did involving parliament in England's government show about Edward I’s reign?
Q6.Edward I was the first medieval king not to face a war during his reign.
To help you plan your 7 history lesson on: Edward I: warrior and just ruler, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 history lesson on: Edward I: warrior and just ruler, 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 3 history lessons from the Edward I: What stopped Edward uniting all of Britain? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.