Norman changes to English land holding
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Domesday Book can be used to study Norman changes to English landholding.
Key learning points
- The Normans changed landholding in England.
- The new system of landholding is often referred to as 'feudalism'.
- England was a hierarchical and tenurial society.
- Domesday Book is used by historians to study Norman changes to landholding.
Keywords
Baron - a great lord or landholder in the kingdom
Homage - when a person places their hands between the hands of a social superior and acknowledges their vassal status they are paying homage
Vassal - a person who holds land from another within feudalism
Tenant - a person who occupies or looks after property owned by another
Common misconception
Pupils may think that power associated with land ownership was a Norman import to England.
Remind pupils that Anglo-Saxon England was a society largely based on land ownership and the power that this brought.
Teacher tip
You may wish to include local examples from Domesday Book, which can be found and searched online.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
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.Which one of the following is the best explanation for why William ordered castles to be built in England after 1066?
Q2.Match these features of motte-and-bailey castles with their correct definitions.
a ditch, sometimes filled with water, surrounding the castle
the castle courtyard; an open area inside the outer defences
a tall structure within a castle used for keeping a lookout
a mound of earth
Q3.Put these events in order, starting with the earliest.
Q4.Which one of these is not a way in which the Gesta Guillelmi seeks to justify or strengthen William’s claim to the throne?
Q5.Match the words with the correct definitions.
someone who lives in accommodation owned by their landlord
someone who has a legal right to land
something that somebody owns and can sell, e.g. a house
a system where land was granted in return for services
a legal right to own or use land for a set period of time
Q6.Which two of the following statements would be useful in explaining the meaning of the word 'tenure'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words with the correct definitions.
a person who occupies property owned by another
a person who holds land from another within feudalism
a great lord or landholder in the kingdom
a ceremony of loyalty from a vassal to their lord
Q2.William introduced a strict social order in England, based on a system of land ownership. Historians often call this the system.
Q3.Put these in order of powerfulness in the feudal system, starting with the least powerful.
Q4.Who technically owned all the land in Norman England?
Q5.Which three of the following can historians work out from studying the Domesday Book?
Q6.Match these sentences starters with their correct endings.
meant barons swore to be loyal to William.
told William how much everyone’s land was worth.
were used to reward William’s loyal followers.
made William the most powerful landholder.
To help you plan your 7 history lesson on: Norman changes to English land holding, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 history lesson on: Norman changes to English land holding, 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 The Norman Conquest: how do we know about the impact of the Conquest on England? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.