The function of Castle Acre Priory
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the different functions of Castle Acre Priory.
Key learning points
- The priory was established as a centre for religious worship.
- The priory needed to accommodate a community of Cluniac monks.
- The priory's religious function was to benefit everyone, but the de Warennes in particular.
- The priory also had the political function of increasing Norman control over Norfolk.
- The priory also had important economic and administrative functions.
Keywords
Cluniac - an order of monks which focused on prayer and reflection
Sin - an action or thought that is believed to go against what God wants for humans
Common misconception
A priory would only have had a religious function in Norman England.
In fact, the Normans used religion extensively in gaining political, social, cultural and economic control over England.
Teacher tip
Students could work in groups to recap ways in which William I gained control over England.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In what style did the Normans build monasteries in England?
Q2.Norman monasteries were often decorated with distinctive patterns.
Q3.What does the architectural feature called an 'arcade' look like?
Q4.What was built inside Castle Acre Priory to allow more monks to conduct more services and longer periods of worship?
Q5.How was the cloister designed for reading and writing?
Q6.Which room did the monks use for their studies during the winter months?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Castle Acre Priory was set up to accommodate a community of monks from the order.
Q2.What was the main purpose of the prayers offered to God by the monks at Castle Acre Priory?
Q3.In addition to its religious function, the work done by monks in the scriptorium meant Castle Acre Priory was also a centre for Christian ...
Q4.Why was Castle Acre Priory also an important economic and administrative centre in Norfolk?
Q5.The of Castle Acre Priory had a lot of political power.
Q6.Castle Acre Priory increased power and control in Norfolk.
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The function of Castle Acre Priory, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The function of Castle Acre Priory, 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.
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