Anglo-Saxon preparations for invasion in 1066
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Anglo-Saxon England prepared for invasion in 1066.
Key learning points
- King Harold made careful preparations against William of Normandy's invasion.
- The invasion by Hardrada and Tostig had not been expected, but the north had defences.
- Different factors contributed to Harold's defeat of the Viking invasion.
- Norman plundering of Wessex may have been designed to provoke Harold to battle William.
- Harold was advised to spend longer preparing for the Battle of Hastings than he did.
Keywords
Invasion - an invasion is when an army or country uses force to go into and take control of another country
Fyrd - the Anglo-Saxon fyrd was a way of calling up men from the general population into an army for a set period of time
Common misconception
The English were unprepared for William's invasion.
Harold led detailed preparations for the invasion, with those preparations delivering an army for the Battle of Hastings despite the disbanding of the southern fyrd and the previous formation of two fyrd armies to combat the earlier Viking invasion.
Teacher tip
Interspersing explanations with clips from recent documentaries about the events of 1066 really help to bring the extraordinary nature of these events to life.
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.Identify which of the following are tactics and which are strategies.
Q2.What was the name of the militia called up by Harold Godwinson to defend the country from the Viking and Norman threats?
Q3.What is the technical term for the suit of chainmail worn by Norman knights and some Norman infantry?
Q4.William's army at the Battle of Hastings was divided into three: match the divisions with the troops who were positioned there.
Q5.Where had Normans previously used feigned retreat tactics in battle?
Q6.Which of these points best supports the argument that the Bayeux Tapestry underplays the importance of Norman archers in the Battle of Hastings?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these is the best definition of the fyrd?
Q2.When did Harold first call up the fyrd to defend the southern coast from an expected Norman invasion?
Q3.Put these events in chronological order.
Q4.Which of the following suggest that Hardrada and Tostig's invasion might have found support in the north?
Q5.Complete the missing number: Harold and his troops made the 185-mile journey to Tadcaster in just days.
Q6.Who advised Harold to wait in London until all fyrd troops had been assembled, according to Norman sources?
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: Anglo-Saxon preparations for invasion in 1066, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: Anglo-Saxon preparations for invasion in 1066, 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 Battle of Hastings unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.