The location of the Battle of Hastings
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the battlefield at the Battle of Hastings.
Key learning points
- William had Battle Abbey constructed on the site of the Battle of Hastings.
- Key features of the battlefield included a hill, a ridge and marshy ground.
- The battle took place at a strategic location, rather than just where the two armies happened to meet.
- There has been dispute about the actual location of the battlefield.
Keywords
Abbey - an abbey is a building for monks or nuns to live and work in
Manoeuvre - a manoeuvre is to move troops into specific positions
Isthmus - an area of land that is nearly an island - surrounded by the sea on three sides - is known as an isthmus
Muster point - a muster point is an agreed place for troops to meet up before a battle
Common misconception
If historians disagree, it means what they are discussing probably never happened.
Historians disagree about interpretations of an event: instead of historical evidence being about proving something to be true or false, it is much more about how strong the evidence is to support one interpretation over another.
Teacher tip
Videos are available online of tours of the battlefield and Battle Abbey.
Content guidance
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 keyword describes a very serious promise made on a holy item?
Q2.Which keyword describes a symbol from the pope showing his support for something?
Q3.Which of the following were ways in which William secured support for his invasion?
Q4.How many ships do Norman sources say William had in his fleet?
Q5.Complete the sentence: William's preparations were upset by bad and a near-disastrous first attempt at crossing the Channel.
Q6.Why did delays to the invasion cause problems for William?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to the correct definitions.
Q2.Complete the sentence with the missing word: Abbey in East Sussex was founded by William of Normandy, on the site of the of Hastings.
Q3.Why did William order an abbey to be built on the site in East Sussex?
Q4.Why is the site of the abbey in East Sussex considered by most historians to be the location of the battlefield?
Q5.Put the following events in chronological order.
Q6.Complete the sentence: Key features of the battlefield included a hill, a ridge and ground.
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The location of the Battle of Hastings, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The location of the Battle of Hastings, 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.