Richard II and the war in France
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how a background of conflict influenced Richard II's policies.
Key learning points
- Richer people tended to be able to escape the worst effects of the plague.
- In 1377, the ten-year-old Richard became king. He was largely controlled by his uncle, John of Gaunt.
- Richard inherited a continuing war with France, the Hundred Years' War.
- A poll tax was introduced because kings needed money to continue the war against France.
- The poll tax became even more unpopular when Richard II tripled the tax from 4 pence to 12 pence.
Keywords
Heir - a person who expects to inherit a position
Poll tax - a payment made to the government by every adult, regardless of how wealthy they are
Common misconception
People at the time called the conflict the Hundred Years' War.
People at the time would not have known how long the wars were going to last, so this name came after the conflict had ended.
Teacher tip
Divide the class into a large group of poor peasants, a medium group of better-off yeomen farmers and a smaller group of wealthy lords. As king, announce the new rate for the poll tax and then take opinions from each group about its fairness.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What was a vassal in the feudal system?
Q2.Historians agree that the feudal system ended during the period of the th to the 15th centuries.
Q3.Which of the following sources have historians used most to explore the strength or weakness of the feudal system after 1348?
Q4.Which of the following could be used to support the argument that lords were not able to restore the feudal system after 1348?
Q5.The reason why historians compare court records before and after 1348 is because this was the starting date of the in England.
Q6.Which historian is associated with research in East Anglia that suggests that feudalism was strengthened after 1348?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Who succeeded Edward III to the throne after his death in 1377?
Q2.Which wealthy and unpopular son of Edward III largely controlled the young King Richard II after 1377?
Q3.What war began in 1337 and did not end until 1453?
Q4.In 1377, Richard II raised a tax to pay for the war with France. This was a form of taxation in which every person had to pay the same amount.
Q5.How much was the tax raised to in 1381?
Q6.Put these events into chronological order.
To help you plan your 7 history lesson on: Richard II and the war in France, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 history lesson on: Richard II and the war in France, 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 Peasants' Revolt: why do historians disagree about its causes? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.