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      Castle Acre Priory - sources and historical context

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain the strengths and limitations of key sources for Norman England.

      Key learning points

      1. Different types of sources provide insights into the historical context of Norman England.
      2. Three types of sources are visual sources, text sources and material sources.
      3. Each type of source has strengths and limitations.
      4. The pope supported the reforms
      5. Historians study the changing rules within the English Church

      Keywords

      • Source - a direct or first-hand piece of evidence from the past

      • Historical context - what is happening at the time of a historical event, possibly shaping it

      • Contemporary - from the same time as something

      Common misconception

      There are relatively few sources for Norman England, so historians have less to say about this period than later periods of English history.

      Historians have plenty to say about Norman England because they are able to interpret the sources available in many different ways to support many different theories.

      Teacher tip

      This lesson is designed to work with all the Norman England Historic Environments, but could easily be adapted to a specific site, for example, in conjunction with the AQA resource pack for that site.

      Content guidance

      Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

      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 word describes the language spoken by ordinary people in a region or country?

      Correct Answer: vernacular

      Q2.
      Which word describes the ability to choose and appoint bishops and abbots?

      Correct Answer: investiture

      Q3.
      Complete the sentence: There are key topics making up the historical context of Norman England.

      one
      two
      Correct answer: three
      four

      Q4.
      Which topics does 'Life under the Normans' not cover?

      Correct answer: the Church
      economic and social changes and their consequences
      Correct answer: military aspects
      feudalism and government
      Correct answer: establishing and maintaining control

      Q5.
      Which of the following relate to monasticism in Norman England?

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

      Q6.
      Which word describes the support that an overlord provided to their vassal in return for homage?

      Correct Answer: patronage

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the following words to their correct definitions.

      Correct Answer:source,a direct or first-hand piece of evidence from the past
      Correct Answer:historical context,what is happening at the time of a historical event, possibly shaping
      Correct Answer:contemporary, from the same time as something

      Q2.
      Historical sources have both strengths and ...

      Correct Answer: limitations, weaknesses

      Q3.
      Two things historians can learn about Norman England from the Bayeux Tapestry are ...

      Correct answer: aspects of everyday life such as food and religious practices.
      the Anglo-Saxon preparations for the Viking invasion.
      Correct answer: features of Norman warfare such as weapons and equipment.
      the details of William I's coronation.

      Q4.
      For Norman England, buildings are an example of sources.

      Correct Answer: material

      Q5.
      Norman England has relatively few sources.

      Correct Answer: text, written

      Q6.
      What do historians do with sources to produce evidence for a particular enquiry?

      take them at face value
      ignore them
      preserve them
      Correct answer: ask questions to test them for their reliability and utility

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