The Battle of Hastings (1066)
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe what happened during the Battle of Hastings and how historians can use the Bayeux Tapestry.
Key learning points
- William of Normandy made thorough preparations for the Battle of Hastings.
- William of Normandy defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings.
- The Bayeux Tapestry is an important source for the study of the Battle of Hastings.
- Historians have to use the Bayeux Tapestry carefully when establishing what happened during the Battle of Hastings.
Keywords
Fyrd - a group of local, untrained soldiers called up to fight in Anglo-Saxon England
Shield wall - the defensive line of shields used by the Anglo-Saxon army
Infantry - foot soldiers
Cavalry - soldiers on horseback
Common misconception
That the Bayeux Tapestry is a 'biased' source and therefore not useful to historians.
Although all sources were produced in a particular context, historians can ask careful questions of them to learn about the past.
Teacher tip
Pupils could be asked to identify features of the sections of the Bayeux Tapestry which they are shown on the Slide Deck before teacher explanation as a 'hook' into the lesson.
Content guidance
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.Match the claimant to their place of origin.
England
Norway
Normandy
Q2.What is an heir?
Q3.Put the following events in chronological order.
Q4.Normandy was a duchy in the north of which modern-day European country?
Q5.Who was Edward the Confessor's closest living relative?
Q6.Match the following words to their definitions.
A situation in which there is no clear heir to the throne
A person who expects to inherit something
A male ruler of a country who inherits his position by birth
A seat used by a king or queen
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words with the correct definitions.
local, untrained Anglo-Saxons who were called up to fight
the defensive line of shields used by Anglo-Saxon armies
foot soldiers
soldiers on horseback
Q2.Complete this sentence: a very important source for historians studying the Battle of Hastings, which was embroidered around 1069, is called the Tapestry.
Q3.Starting with the earliest event, put these events of the Battle of Hastings in order.
Q4.Which of the following formed part of Harold's army?
Q5.Some of the events shown in the Bayeux Tapestry are corroborated by other sources, such as the Gesta Guillemi. Which of the following is the best definition of ‘corroborated’?
Q6.Which of these people were king of England at some point during 1066?
To help you plan your 7 history lesson on: The Battle of Hastings (1066), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 history lesson on: The Battle of Hastings (1066), 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.