Choose exam board for KS4 Computer Science (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 English
Choose exam board for KS4 French
Choose exam board for KS4 Geography
Choose exam board for KS4 German
Choose exam board for KS4 History
Choose tier for KS4 Maths
Choose exam board for KS4 Music
Choose exam board for KS4 Physical education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Religious education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Spanish

      Norman Wales - historical context themes

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can recall and apply key themes from the historical context of Norman England.

      Key learning points

      1. There are three key topics making up the historical context of Norman England.
      2. 'Norman conquest and control' covers causes of the conquest, military aspects and establishing and maintaining control.
      3. 'Life under the Normans' covers feudalism and government and economic and social changes and their consequences.
      4. 'The Norman Church and monasticism' covers the Church and monasticism.

      Keywords

      • Inheritance - receiving property or other items from a parent or other after their death

      • Patronage - the support that an overlord provided to their vassal in return for homage

      • Romanesque - an architectural style inspired by the buildings of ancient Rome

      • Investiture - the ability to choose and appoint bishops and abbots

      • Vernacular - the language spoken by ordinary people in a region or country

      Common misconception

      The Anglo-Saxon Church was old-fashioned and corrupt.

      The Normans were keen to present the Anglo-Saxon Church that way, but Edward the Confessor had kept up with reforms from the rest of Europe.

      Teacher tip

      This lesson is designed to be used as a way of making links between this year's historic environment and the historical context themes of the AQA course.

      Content guidance

      Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

      Supervision

      Adult supervision recommended

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

      Loading...

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which word means an armed uprising against a ruler?

      Correct Answer: rebellion, revolt, revolution

      Q2.
      Where was Eadric the Wild from?

      East Anglia
      Wessex
      Correct answer: Mercia
      Northumbria

      Q3.
      Complete the sentence: Eadric the Wild's relied on support from Wales.

      Correct Answer: revolt, rebellion

      Q4.
      Norman control in Wales was reduced during the reigns of which Normans?

      Correct answer: William Rufus
      Henry I
      William I
      Correct answer: Stephen

      Q5.
      Put the following events in chronological order.

      1 - William II led a punitive expedition into Wales.
      2 - The earl of Shrewsbury, Roger of Montgomery, died.
      3 - Roger of Montgomery's son Hugh took over as earl.
      4 - Hugh lost control of the settlement of Montgomery.
      5 - Hugh was killed.
      6 - The Normans had been pushed back in the north, centre and south of Wales.

      Q6.
      What were the reasons behind the earls dissatisfaction in 1075?

      the increase in the amount of money they were expected to pay to the king
      William's failure to deliver on his daughter's marriage proposal promise
      Correct answer: the reduction in their powers and influence as earls compared to their fathers

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the word to the correct definition.

      Correct Answer:investiture,the ability to choose and appoint bishops and abbots

      the ability to choose and appoint bishops and abbots

      Correct Answer:patronage,support that an overlord provided to their vassal in return for homage

      support that an overlord provided to their vassal in return for homage

      Correct Answer:inheritance,receiving property or other items from a relative after their death

      receiving property or other items from a relative after their death

      Q2.
      Which word describes an architectural style inspired by the buildings of ancient Rome?

      Correct Answer: Romanesque, romanesque

      Q3.
      Which three topics does 'Norman conquest and control' cover?

      Correct answer: causes of the conquest
      feudalism and government
      Correct answer: military aspects
      monasticism
      Correct answer: maintaining control

      Q4.
      Which topics does 'Life under the Normans' cover?

      Correct answer: economic and social changes and their consequences
      the Church
      Correct answer: feudalism and government
      military aspects
      monasticism

      Q5.
      Which two of the following are not military aspects of Norman England?

      Anglo-Saxon and Norman tactics
      Correct answer: the Harrying of the North
      Correct answer: the inheritance of William II
      cavalry and castles

      Q6.
      Which of the following relate to the Church of Norman England?

      Latin usage and the vernacular
      Correct answer: Archbishop Lanfranc and reform of the English Church
      Correct answer: the Investiture Controversy
      the building of abbeys and monasteries

      To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: Norman Wales - historical context themes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...