The role of women in the early modern period
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the ways in which early modern Britain was a patriarchal society.
Key learning points
- The Reformation did not have a significant impact on attitudes towards women.
- Early modern Britain remained a patriarchal society.
- Work for the majority of women centred on the home and was combined with childcare.
- Opportunities for women to receive an education were limited and linked to social class.
- Husbands in the early modern period had a huge amount of power over their wives.
Keywords
Patriarchal - patriarchal relates to a society that is controlled by men
Aristocratic - aristocratic refers to a powerful and wealthy group in society who own land and have titles
Common misconception
The existence of female rulers like Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots, meant that women in early modern Britain had significantly more power than in the medieval period.
It was extremely rare for women to wield power during this period. Early modern Britain was a patriarchal society in which society was controlled by men and the vast majority of women were excluded from all positions of power and influence.
Teacher tip
Ask pupils to compare and contrast the role of women in the early modern period and the medieval period and to discuss the amount of change and continuity. Pupils could be asked to stand on an opinion line ('Significant change' to 'No change') and justify their positions.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Depiction or discussion of sexual violence
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Priests oversaw the most important moments in people’s lives, such as .
Q2.The Church had power and influence over the law courts, land ownership and .
Q3.Which statement best describes the power dynamic between men and women in medieval England?
Q4.Medieval women's lives were centred on the {{ }.
Q5.In medieval towns, the guild system was often used to exclude women from .
Q6.Becoming a was one of the few ways in which women could receive an education in medieval England.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which statement best describes Catholic and Protestant views on women?
Q2.Which position of responsibility could a woman hold in early modern England?
Q3.The only professional role a woman could act in officially was that of a licensed .
Q4.Which statement best describes changes to education in the early modern period?
Q5.Aristocratic girls did not attend school, but they did receive an education from a private...
Q6.Which of these were early modern women not allowed to do without their husband's permission?
To help you plan your 9 history lesson on: The role of women in the early modern period, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 history lesson on: The role of women in the early modern period, 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 Thematic study: how has the role of women in British society changed? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.