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      Castle Acre Priory - historical context themes

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can recall and apply key themes from the historical context of Norman England.

      Key learning points

      1. There are three key topics making up the historical context of Norman England.
      2. 'Norman conquest and control' covers causes of the conquest, military aspects and establishing and maintaining control.
      3. 'Life under the Normans' covers feudalism and government and economic and social changes and their consequences.
      4. 'The Norman Church and monasticism' covers the Church and monasticism.

      Keywords

      • Inheritance - receiving property or other items from a parent or other after their death

      • Patronage - the support that an overlord provided to their vassal in return for homage

      • Romanesque - an architectural style inspired by the buildings of ancient Rome

      • Investiture - the ability to choose and appoint bishops and abbots

      • Vernacular - the language spoken by ordinary people in a region or country

      Common misconception

      The Anglo-Saxon Church was old-fashioned and corrupt.

      The Normans were keen to present the Anglo-Saxon Church that way, but Edward the Confessor had kept up with reforms from the rest of Europe.

      Teacher tip

      This lesson is designed to be used as a way of making links between this year's historic environment and the historical context themes of the AQA course.

      Content guidance

      Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

      Supervision

      Adult supervision recommended

      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).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which order of monks were housed at Castle Acre Priory?

      Correct answer: Cluniac
      Franciscan
      Augustinian
      Jesuit

      Q2.
      The monks at Castle Acre Priory believed that prayer was a way to repent for ...

      Correct Answer: sin

      Q3.
      The monks at Castle Acre Priory also created a centre for what type of knowledge?

      global
      Correct answer: Christian
      geographical
      scientific

      Q4.
      The large amounts of food grown on Castle Acre Priory's extensive lands also helped Norfolk's ...

      Correct Answer: economy

      Q5.
      Who controlled Castle Acre Priory?

      the king
      the prior
      Correct answer: the Abbot of Cluny
      the Archbishop of Canterbury

      Q6.
      Castle Acre Priory increased the control the had over Norfolk.

      Correct Answer: Normans

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the word to the correct definition.

      Correct Answer:investiture,the ability to choose and appoint bishops and abbots
      Correct Answer:patronage,support that an overlord provided to their vassal in return for homage
      Correct Answer:inheritance,receiving property or other items from a relative after their death

      Q2.
      Which word describes an architectural style inspired by the buildings of ancient Rome?

      Correct Answer: Romanesque

      Q3.
      Which three topics does 'Norman conquest and control' cover?

      Correct answer: causes of the conquest
      feudalism and government
      Correct answer: military aspects
      monasticism
      Correct answer: maintaining control

      Q4.
      Which topics does 'Life under the Normans' cover?

      Correct answer: economic and social changes and their consequences
      the Church
      Correct answer: feudalism and government
      military aspects
      monasticism

      Q5.
      Which two of the following are not military aspects of Norman England?

      Anglo-Saxon and Norman tactics
      Correct answer: the Harrying of the North
      Correct answer: the inheritance of William II
      cavalry and castles

      Q6.
      Which of the following relate to the Church of Norman England?

      Latin usage and the vernacular
      Correct answer: Archbishop Lanfranc and reform of the English Church
      Correct answer: the Investiture Controversy
      the building of abbeys and monasteries

      To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: Castle Acre Priory - historical context themes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...