Wales before the Norman Conquest
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe conflicts between Wales and England in the 1050s.
Key learning points
- By the middle of the 11th century, Gruffydd ap Llywelyn was the most powerful figure in Wales.
- In the 1050s, Ralph the Timid, a Norman, was Earl of Hereford.
- In 1055, Gruffydd ap Llywelyn attacked Hereford and defeated its defenders.
- Harold and Tostig Godwinson led a military campaign against Gruffydd ap Llywelyn.
- Gruffydd ap Llywelyn was killed and power in Wales was again divided amongst smaller kingdoms.
Keywords
Marches - the name given to the border lands between England and Wales
Campaign - a series of military operations, usually with the aim of defeating an enemy
Exile - being banned from living in your native country, usually for acting against those in charge
Common misconception
Before the Norman invasion in 1066, castles were unknown in Anglo-Saxon England.
In fact, Ralph the Timid built a motte-and-bailey castle in Hereford to guard the city against attacks from Wales.
Teacher tip
See what students can recall about some of the names that crop up in this lesson: Edward the Confessor, Harold Godwinson, Tostig Godwinson, Edwin of Mercia.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word describes having many mountains?
Q2.Complete the sentence: The combination of mountains, land and strategic rivers made Wales an attractive location to the Norman settlers.
Q3.Complete the sentence: Wales' long has always been important for communication and trade.
Q4.Which Welsh kingdom was in the north and included modern-day Snowdonia?
Q5.Why was Saint David’s monastery important?
Q6.What did some societies begin to construct on elevated ground prior to the Romans’ arrival in Wales?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word was the name given to the border lands between England and Wales?
Q2.Which word describes a series of military operations, usually with the aim of defeating an enemy?
Q3.Why was the kingdom of Gwynedd arguably the strongest Welsh kingdom in the 11th century?
Q4.When did Gruffydd ap Llywelyn become king of Gwynedd?
Q5.Which of the following were Norman innovations that Ralph the Timid introduced to the defences of Hereford?
Q6.What happened to Wales following Gruffydd’s death?
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: Wales before the Norman Conquest, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: Wales before the Norman Conquest, 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 Norman Wales unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.