The Great Plague of 1665
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the impact of the Great Plague and evaluate the effectiveness of responses to it.
Key learning points
- Over 100 000 people in London alone were killed by the Great Plague.
- The actual cause of the plague was still not understood in 1665.
- No effective cures for the plague existed at the time.
- Authorities used social distancing to try and prevent the spread of the plague.
- Social distancing methods included household quarantines.
Keywords
Epidemic - when a large number of people get the same disease over the same period of time
Social distancing - the practice of keeping away from other people as much as possible, in order to stop a disease from spreading
Quarantine - when people are kept away from others because they have, or might have, a disease
Common misconception
The Great Plague was the last serious plague epidemic because a cure was found.
No effective cure had been developed to treat plague at the time of the Great Plague.
Teacher tip
Have pupils compare responses to the Black Death and Great Plague. Ask which areas (i.e. explanations, treatments, prevention) were most similar and most different. You may also ask pupils what the similarities suggest about the extent of progress in Renaissance medicine.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
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.Write the missing word. The process which saw the closure of many monasteries in England was known as the of the Monasteries?
Q2.What type of hospitals were infectious patients sent to in the 17th century?
Q3.How many general hospitals were founded in London from 1720-50?
Q4.Why did 18th century hospitals become more unsanitary?
Q5.Write the missing word. Most working in 18th century hospitals lacked medical training and were considered unskilled.
Q6.Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Write the missing word. A is when people are kept away from others because they have, or might have, a disease.
Q2.How many people died in London during the Great Plague of 1665?
Q3.Write the missing number. During the Great Plague, households where someone was infected were required to quarantine for days.
Q4.Which group was most likely to have remained in London during the Great Plague?
Q5.Which response to the plague was intended to protect people from miasma?
Q6.Which inference is most valid based on the following information: the Great Plague mostly affected London, and a few other towns and cities, such as Norwich?
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The Great Plague of 1665, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The Great Plague of 1665, 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 Britain: Health and the people - c1000 to the present day unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.