Durham before the Norman Conquest
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the strategic importance of Northumbria and Durham and the significance of the uprising against Tostig in 1065.
Key learning points
- Northumbria was important because it guarded the frontiers against Scottish and Danish (Viking) invaders.
- Northumbria was part of the Danelaw and had different laws and customs from southern England.
- Durham was important because it was a main town in Northumbria which could help deal with Scottish and Danish raids.
- Earl Tostig and Aethelwine, the bishop of Durham, were seen as southern outsiders and abused their powers.
- The 1065 uprising in Northumbria resulted in Tostig being exiled but Aethelwine remained the bishop of Durham.
Keywords
Danelaw - an area of England which had been invaded and settled by Danes leading to different laws and customs from southern England.
Earl - a leading member of both Anglo-Saxon and Norman aristocracy, ruling an earldom on behalf of the king.
Uprising - an act of opposition, sometimes using violence, by many people in one area of a country against those who are in power
Common misconception
Northumbria was an Anglo-Saxon earldom that was fully integrated into the kingdom of England.
Northumbria had a shifting northern border with Scotland and was part of the Danelaw and had different laws and customs from southern England.
Teacher tip
Create a map outlining the causes and events of the uprising. Have students place markers for key locations like Northumbria, Durham, Scotland, Scandinavia, discussing the strategic importance of each.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Put the following events in chronological order.
Q2.Which word describes the remains of a holy person?
Q3.What discovery confirmed people's view that Cuthbert was a saint?
Q4.What was significant about the Danish raid on Lindisfarne monastery in 793?
Q5.Whose relics were placed in Durham Cathedral by around 1020?
Q6.Who did the waliwerfolc believe was their protector?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the term for the area of England which had been invaded and settled by the Danes?
Q2.Why was Northumbria an important earldom?
Q3.Why did many people resent Tostig being given control of Northumbria?
Q4.What was the final event that triggered the uprising against Tostig?
Q5.Who sent Harold Godwinson to negotiate with the rebels?
Q6.Put the following events in chronological order.
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: Durham 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: Durham 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 Durham Cathedral unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.