Durham Cathedral and Norman government
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how William I used the Church to help control the north.
Key learning points
- William I dealt with the rebellious north by enacting the Harrying of the North.
- Aethelwine, the Bishop of Durham, was imprisoned for involvement in rebellion and replaced by William Walcher.
- William I built a castle next to the cathedral to provide protection for the Bishop of Durham.
- William I created the role of prince-bishop which had increased powers to control the north.
- William of Saint Calais ordered the building of Durham Cathedral.
Keywords
Prince-bishop - a role created to give a bishop greater independence and powers to control the north
Common misconception
Bishops have always had a role equivalent to modern times.
In fact, bishops in the medieval period were involved in government and even led armies into battle, such as bishop Odo of Bayeux.
Teacher tip
You could extend Task A by having pupils discuss (or write about) why the removal of Aethelwine as Bishop of Durham was so significant for Norman control of both the Church and the wider region of Northumbria.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
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.Why did Northumbrian customs differ from those in parts of southern England?
Q2.Who was appointed as Bishop of Durham in 1056?
Q3.Why was Durham such an important town for trade and government?
Q4.When did Tostig have two of his Northumbrian rivals murdered?
Q5.What is the term for an act of opposition, sometimes using violence, against those who are in power?
Q6.Match the following people to the positions they held.
Earl of Northumbria
Bishop of Durham
Queen and wife of Edward the Confessor
Earl of Wessex (and Tostig's brother)
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Who did William the Conqueror appoint as Earl of Northumbria?
Q2.Which areas did not see uprisings against William in the period 1067-1070?
Q3.Which country did William the Conqueror invade in 1072?
Q4.In what year was Bishop Walcher killed?
Q5.What is the term for a role created to give a bishop greater independence and powers?
Q6.Put the following events in chronological order.
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: Durham Cathedral and Norman government, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: Durham Cathedral and Norman government, 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.