How successful was Henry II as king?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how successful Henry II was as king.
Key learning points
- A successful medieval king needed to have certain qualities to enable them to effectively rule.
- Henry’s reign demonstrated success.
- Henry’s reign demonstrated failure.
- Historians often disagree whether a king can be seen as a successful ruler.
- Henry reasserted his royal authority in various ways.
Keywords
Reasserted - reasserted means doing something to show that you still have power
Royal authority - royal authority is the power or ability of a monarch to control or demand obedience from the people.
Interpretation - interpretation an explanation or opinion of what something means.
Common misconception
Students may think that the role of the medieval monarch is comparable with today's monarchy.
A medieval king was judged by his ability on the battlefield. Success in battle was the best way for a king to become powerful.
Teacher tip
Set up a class debate: one group will support the notion that Henry II was a successful king, the other group will oppose the notion.
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.Match the key words with the correct definitions.
the order in which people inherit a position
to rebel or take violent action against a ruler
a person who rules a country, because the monarch is absent
Q2.Why did Henry II begin thinking about the division of his lands before his death?
Q3.How did the sons react to their inheritance from their father, Henry II?
Q4.What extreme step did Eleanor of Aquitaine encourage her sons to take?
Q5.What happened to Eleanor of Aquitaine after the revolt failed in 1174?
Q6.What was the main issue that plagued Henry II's succession planning?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the key words with the correct definitions.
doing something to show that you still have power
the ability of a monarch to control the people
an explanation or opinion of what something means
Q2.How did Henry II successfully show authority over the Angevin Empire?
Q3.Why was being skillful in warfare considered important for the success of a medieval king?
Q4.How did Henry II successfully reassert royal authority? Select two correct answers.
Q5.Why was succession planning important to being a successful medieval king?
Q6.Why do historians often have different interpretations about the same medieval king?
To help you plan your 7 history lesson on: How successful was Henry II as king?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 history lesson on: How successful was Henry II as king?, 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 England under Henry II: how successfully did Henry reassert royal authority? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.