Matilda's claim and campaign
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Matilda took advantage of Stephen's weakened position to advance her claim and lead a campaign against Stephen.
Key learning points
- Matilda regarded Stephen as a usurper.
- Matilda sought to secure the pope's backing for her claim.
- Matilda raised an army in England to fight against Stephen.
- Matilda gained the support of some leading English barons.
- Historians can learn about the role of elite women in the Middle Ages from Matilda's campaign.
Keywords
Usurper - a usurper is somebody who takes something by force without the right to do so
Anarchy - anarchy is an absence of government in society; political or social disorder
Civil war - a civil war is a war between citizens of the same country
Common misconception
Women in England were not allowed to fight in wars.
We have many examples of women leading the defence of castles throughout English history, and occasionally leading the attack on enemy territory as well. It was uncommon, but not unheard of.
Teacher tip
Encourage students to create a glossary of key individuals so that they can keep track of who is who - this is especially useful when studying events in the medieval period, when many people shared the same names.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
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 keywords to the correct definitions.
to be born of parents legally married to each other
a great lord or landholder in a kingdom
a situation in which there is no clear heir to a position
a group of countries or provinces ruled from the centre by one person
Q2.What keyword describes a person legally entitled to the property or rank of another person upon that person’s death?
Q3.What happened to William Adelin in 1120?
Q4.Why did Henry I make Matilda his next in line to the throne?
Q5.Why was the timing of Henry I's death unfortunate for Matilda?
Q6.Why was Stephen of Blois able to have himself crowned king of England and Normandy?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What keyword describes somebody who takes something by force without the right to do so?
Q2.Complete the following sentence with the missing word: Matilda sought to secure the backing for her claim.
Q3.Why was Stephen's position looking increasingly fragile by 1138?
Q4.Which castle did Stephen surprisingly allow Matilda to safely leave and journey to Bristol?
Q5.Where did Matilda set up her court in Robert's lands?
Q6.What keyword describes a war between citizens of the same country?
To help you plan your 7 history lesson on: Matilda's claim and campaign, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 history lesson on: Matilda's claim and campaign, 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.