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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain the role religion played in social life in medieval Norwich.

      Key learning points

      1. Norwich was home to many religious houses.
      2. Norwich Cathedral was the most prominent religious community in Norwich.
      3. The Cathedral was wealthier than any other group in Norwich.
      4. Churchmen provided a range of social services including charity and education.
      5. Other religious houses like the Blackfriars were more popular than the monks at the Cathedral.

      Keywords

      • Cathedral - a cathedral is the largest and most important church in a particular area

      • Bishop - a bishop is a leader of high rank in the Christian Church

      • Monk - a monk is a man who has withdrawn from normal life to dedicate his life to God

      • Will - people write a will to leave instructions about what should be done with their things once they die

      Common misconception

      Students think that medieval churches only focused on prayer and religious services.

      Remind pupils that the Cathedral and other groups of churchmen in medieval Norwich also provided charity, education and hospital care.

      Teacher tip

      At the end of learning cycle 2, ask students who tends to be responsible for providing the wide range of services Norwich Cathedral provided in the medieval period. Ask students to reflect on why they think this was different in the medieval period.

      Content guidance

      Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

      Supervision

      Adult supervision recommended

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Write the missing word. Most people in medieval England believed they had to be good to get to heaven.

      Correct Answer: Christians, christians

      Q2.
      How much land did the Church own in medieval England?

      None
      10%
      Correct answer: 30%
      60%

      Q3.
      Write the missing word. A is a person with special rights in a city.

      Correct Answer: freeman, Freeman

      Q4.
      Who was responsible for choosing the mayor in Norwich after 1404?

      churchmen
      everyone
      Correct answer: freemen
      king
      merchants

      Q5.
      Starting with the earliest, sort the events into chronological order.

      1 - Norwich's wool trade grows significantly.
      2 - Norwich recieves a new city charter.
      3 - Norwich Guildhall is built.

      Q6.
      What did elites in Norwich hope to achieve by building their new Guildhall?

      provide a new place for worship
      increase trade in the city
      Correct answer: show off the high status of Norwich

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is a cathedral?

      any church
      any church located in a city
      Correct answer: the largest and most important church in an area
      the largest and most important church in a country

      Q2.
      How much money did Norwich cathedral earn each year?

      nothing
      £22
      £220
      Correct answer: £2200

      Q3.
      Which two groups of people lived in Norwich Cathedral?

      Correct answer: bishop
      merchants
      Correct answer: monks
      peasants

      Q4.
      The "Norwich Chronicle" was written by a living at Norwich cathedral.

      Correct Answer: monk, Monk

      Q5.
      Which of the following was a difference between the monks at Norwich Cathedral and the Blackfriars?

      the Blackfriars were very wealthy
      Correct answer: the Blackfriars lived and worked within the city
      the Blackfriars often became mayor and freemen
      the Blackfriars helped to educate people

      Q6.
      How can we tell the Blackfriars were very popular in Norwich?

      they had more members than any other religious group
      they lived in the largest church in Norwich
      they provided education for people
      Correct answer: they received donations from nearly half of all wills in Norwich

      To help you plan your 7 history lesson on: Churchmen in medieval Norwich, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...