Matilda's battles
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Matilda's actions affected the battles fought during the Anarchy.
Key learning points
- Matilda established her court in Gloucester.
- Matilda defeated Stephen at the Battle of Lincoln.
- The citizens of London forced Matilda and her followers to flee London.
- Matilda was defeated by Stephen at the Siege of Oxford.
- Matilda's actions during the Anarchy gives historians an insight into medieval women.
Keywords
Civil war - a civil war is a war between citizens of the same country
Besieged - if somewhere is besieged it is surrounded by people trying to capture it: no goods or people are allowed in or out
Common misconception
Once a king dies or is taken prisoner, that is the end of the war.
Although a king is very important, there are many examples throughout history of a king's followers continuing to fight on successfully after their leader has been killed or captured.
Teacher tip
As a homework task, students could research some of Matilda's key followers in order to gain a greater understanding of how they helped her during the Anarchy.
Content guidance
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 keyword describes an absence of government in society; political or social disorder?
Q2.Match the keyword to the correct definition.
somebody who takes something by force without the right to do so
a war between citizens of the same country
a situation in which there is no clear heir to a position
the wife of an emperor, the ruler of an empire
Q3.How long did the civil war between Stephen and Matilda last?
Q4.What can historians learn about the role of elite women in the Middle Ages from Matilda's campaign?
Q5.How was Matilda able to cross the channel to England in 1139?
Q6.How was Stephen quickly able to gain a support for his claim to the throne at the beginning of his rule?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What keyword describes if somewhere is surrounded by people trying to capture it with no goods or people being allowed in or out?
Q2.Where did Matilda defeat Stephen in 1141?
Q3.Where was Matilda defeated by Stephen in 1142?
Q4.Who was King Stephen married to?
Q5.Why did Matilda's ruling style alienate some people from supporting her?
Q6.Why was Matilda restricted to directing operations from her base in Gloucester?
To help you plan your 7 history lesson on: Matilda's battles, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 history lesson on: Matilda's battles, 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 Medieval women: what can we learn from Matilda about women in medieval England? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.