The built environment of Norman England
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe how Normans introduced changes to the built environment.
Key learning points
- The Normans loved an architectural style known now as Romanesque.
- Romanesque style looked back to features of ancient Roman architecture, such as huge stone columns and rounded arches.
- Castles were a major change to the built environment; stone replaced timber for building mainly from the 12th century.
- Within 30 years of the Norman conquest, most church buildings in England were being rebuilt in Romanesque style.
- There were several reasons for the vast programme of rebuilding, including religious reforms and Norman wealth.
Keywords
Built environment - the landscape created by buildings and infrastructure like roads and bridges
Romanesque - an architectural style based on features of ancient Roman buildings
Architecture - the design and construction of buildings
Order - a group of individuals who live under a religious rule, dedicating themselves to a specific way of life
Common misconception
The Normans invented Romanesque architecture.
The Normans were enthusiastic adopters of Romanesque building style, but it was developed in northern Italy and France, combining Roman features with elements of Byzantine design.
Teacher tip
There are likely to be overlaps between this lesson and Historic Environment sites that focus on Norman cathedrals or castles. Showing students examples of Romanesque features from their Historic Environment would be good reinforcement for this lesson if the site contains references to them.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word describes the lord of a manor's land which was farmed for him?
Q2.Which word describes a peasant who held up to 100 acres of land which they rented from a lord for money?
Q3.Match the activities in the farming year with the seasons.
seeds for crops were sown on the fields
the crops were harvested
the fields were ploughed
some animals were slaughtered
Q4.Complete the sentence: Norman lords worked their villeins than had been the case in Anglo-Saxon times.
Q5.Match the aspects of village life to whether they show change or continuity after the Norman Conquest.
types of crops grown, seasonal farming
fall in the number of freemen, who the lord was
housing materials, way villagers lived
number of monasteries, number of enslaved people
Q6.What did villagers have to give to the church each year?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word describes the landscape created by buildings and infrastructure like roads and bridges?
Q2.Which word describes a group of individuals who live under a religious rule, dedicating themselves to a specific way of life?
Q3.Which of the following does the Romanesque style feature?
Q4.In which century did stone castles start to replace wooden ones?
Q5.Which of the following statements show the purpose of Norman castles?
Q6.Within how many years of the conquest were most church buildings in England being rebuilt?
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The built environment of Norman England, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The built environment of Norman England, 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 4 history lessons from the British Depth Study: Norman England, c1066–c1100 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.