The Northern and East Anglian rebellions
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the key events of the Northern and East Anglian rebellions.
Key learning points
- At first, William wanted to include Anglo-Saxons in the government of his new kingdom, including Edwin and Morcar.
- When William reduced their wealth, power and status, Edwin and Morcar rebelled against William.
- Edgar Aethling and the Danish king joined the rebellions, which was dangerous for Norman control of the North.
- William used different tactics to put down rebellions, one of which was the brutal ‘Harrying of the North’ in 1069-70.
- A rebellion in East Anglia 1070-71 saw William repeat his successful tactics to defeat the last Anglo-Saxon rebellion.
Keywords
Revolt - a revolt is when a large number refuse to be controlled or ruled, and take action against authority, often violent action
Harrying - harrying is persistently harassing or carrying out attacks on an enemy or an enemy's territory
Common misconception
William always used violence to control England.
Although violence was a recurring tactic of William's, he also allowed some Anglo-Saxons to keep some of their land and was willing to negotiate and pay the Danes to leave England.
Teacher tip
To avoid confusion about the various rebellions, have students create a timeline detailing the sequence of rebellions from 1068 to 1071, highlighting the causes and outcomes of each rebellion.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
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.Most Norman castles were variations of what type of castle design?
Q2.Norman castles had a impact on the Anglo-Saxons by terrifying the local population and dominating the landscape.
Q3.Within 20 years, it is estimated that the Normans built around castles.
Q4.Which part of a Norman castle was the strong main tower which acted as a watchtower?
Q5.What was a burh?
Q6.Norman castles were often rebuilt using __________ sometime after they were first constructed.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The Anglo-Saxon earls Edwin and Morcar...
Q2.After Edwin and Morcar's rebellion in 1068, what happened to them?
Q3.To which earldom did William appoint Robert Cumin as earl?
Q4.During the uprising in January 1069, rebels attacked both Durham and...
Q5.In 1070, a thegn called Hereward the Wake, together with Danish invaders, attacked which cathedral city?
Q6.From where did Hereward the Wake organise his rebellion against the Normans?
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The Northern and East Anglian rebellions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The Northern and East Anglian rebellions, 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 British depth study: Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060–88 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.