New
New
Year 10
AQA
The Marcher earls
I can explain the role of the Marcher earls.
New
New
Year 10
AQA
The Marcher earls
I can explain the role of the Marcher earls.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Wales was not a threat to Norman England, but the border situation helped those resisting Norman control.
- In 1067 and 1069, Eadric the Wild attacked Hereford and Shrewsbury with help from Wales.
- William I responded by creating the Marcher earldoms in Chester, Shrewsbury and Hereford.
- Marcher earls were granted special privileges to help them control and colonise the Marches.
- While there was no systematic plan to conquer Wales, the Marcher earls encouraged land grabs of Welsh territory.
Keywords
Marcher - connected to the Marches, the borderlands between Wales and England
Earldom - the territory controlled by an earl
Common misconception
The Marcher earls were completely independent of the king.
Although the Marcher earls had a lot of independence and special privileges, they were still vassals of the king and swore to obey him. Their feudal duties included providing the king with knights.
Students could start the lesson by recapping the rebellions against William from 1067 to 1070: who was involved and what were the outcomes?
Teacher tip
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Which word describes being banned from living in your native country, usually for acting against those in charge?
Q2.
Complete the sentence: Gruffydd ap Llywelyn’s ambitions were not restricted to Wales - the borderlands of the Welsh were also an area where he hoped to expand his territory.
Q3.
By the middle of the 11th century, who was the most powerful figure in Wales?
Ralph the Timid
Edward the Confessor
Robert of Jumieges
Q4.
How far was Hereford from the border of Wales?
10 miles
50 miles
100 miles
Q5.
Put the following events in chronological order.
Q6.
Put the following events in chronological order.
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Which word describes a person connected to the Marches?
Q2.
Which word describes the territory controlled by an earl?
Q3.
Who attacked Hereford in 1067?
William FitzOsbern
Gruffydd ap Llywelyn
Q4.
Why did the borderlands of the Welsh Marches provide problems for William the Conqueror?
They were controlled by one very powerful Welsh king.
The people who lived there frequently raided England and Welsh kingdoms.
Q5.
Who did William appoint as the first Marcher earls?
Bleddyn ap Cynfyn
Roger de Breteuil
Q6.
Which Marcher earl achieved the biggest expansion of their territory in Wales?
Bleddyn ap Cynfyn
Roger de Breteuil
Roger of Montgomery
Hugh d'Avranches
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