New
New
Year 10
AQA
Durham Cathedral and Norman government
I can explain how William I used the Church to help control the north.
New
New
Year 10
AQA
Durham Cathedral and Norman government
I can explain how William I used the Church to help control the north.
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Lesson details
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.
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.
Teacher tip
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
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).Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Why did Northumbrian customs differ from those in parts of southern England?
They followed the customs of the Welsh.
They followed the customs of the French.
Q2.
Who was appointed as Bishop of Durham in 1056?
Harold Godwinson
Tostig Godwinson
Venerable Bede
Q3.
Why was Durham such an important town for trade and government?
It had a large cathedral.
It had a large and famous university.
Q4.
When did Tostig have two of his Northumbrian rivals murdered?
1060
1062
1066
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)
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Who did William the Conqueror appoint as Earl of Northumbria?
Aethelwine
William Walcher
Q2.
Which areas did not see uprisings against William in the period 1067-1070?
Yorkshire
Welsh Marches
Midlands
Q3.
Which country did William the Conqueror invade in 1072?
Denmark
Ireland
Wales
Q4.
In what year was Bishop Walcher killed?
1060
1070
1090
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.
Additional material
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