St John's Chapel
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the religious function of the White Tower.
Key learning points
- The White Tower had a religious function; the Chapel of St John is an integral part of the White Tower.
- The Chapel of St John was constructed in the Romanesque style.
- The Chapel of St John was intended for religious worship and to impress visitors.
Keywords
Chapel - a small church, or a room used as a church in a larger building
Church - a building for Christian worship
Romanesque - the style of building that was fashionable in Western Europe which recalled the power of the Roman Empire
Nave - the long central part of a church, often with aisles on both sides
Common misconception
William I often used the Chapel of St John for his own private worship.
Although this was the plan, William died before the chapel was finished.
Teacher tip
Readily available online mapping websites provide a street view style walkaround inside the chapel that could be used to enhance pupils' understanding of the chapels features for Task A.
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.Which word describes a member of the ruling elite?
Q2.Complete the sentence: The responsibilities of the included the maintenance of the tower’s defences; paying and supervising the garrison; guarding prisoners and collecting taxes.
Q3.Who was the first keeper of the White Tower?
Q4.Which of the following suggest there was limited comforts for royal and noble residents of the White Tower?
Q5.Who lived in the bailey of the White Tower?
Q6.In the king's absence, who was the most important resident of the White Tower?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word describes the style of building that was fashionable in Western Europe which recalled the power of the Roman Empire?
Q2.Complete the sentence: The White Tower's the Evangelist was designed as a place of private worship and as a public display of Norman dedication to God.
Q3.Which of the following statements show William I intended to use the White Tower's chapel as a public display of Norman dedication to God?
Q4.What was the purpose of the chapel's triforium?
Q5.What did William plan to have placed in the western end of the chapel is an archway?
Q6.Where did ordinary people who worked in the White Tower worship?
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: St John's Chapel, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: St John's Chapel, 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 White Tower unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.