The revolt of the earls in 1075
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain what the revolt of the earls reveals about Anglo-Saxon resistance to Norman rule by 1075.
Key learning points
- Three of William’s own earls rebelled against him in 1075, all believing they deserved more land and power.
- Waltheof confessed the plot to Lanfranc.
- English and Norman forces cooperated to stop the revolt.
- William punished most rebels with prison or banishment, however, Waltheof was executed.
- The revolt revealed England was tired of resistance and William could rely on Anglo-Norman leadership to secure England.
Keywords
Earldom - An earldom was a large area of land ruled by an earl on behalf of the king.
Regent - A regent is a person who rules a country for a limited period, because the monarch is absent or too young or too ill.
Garrison - A garrison is a group of soldiers that are stationed in a castle.
Common misconception
Resistance to William’s rule of England, came only from the English.
In 1075, two Norman earls revolted against William, and English forces helped to stop the rebellion.
Teacher tip
Debate Waltheof's fate: hold a class debate on whether Waltheof's execution was justified, encouraging students to use evidence from the text.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How did William use England’s land to shift power towards the Normans?
Q2.How did royal seals help to extend William’s royal power across his kingdom?
Q3.What book was produced in 1086 after a large survey in England?
Q4.Which of the following was a method used by William to maintain control of England?
Q5.How many Anglo-Saxon thegns held land in 1066 before the Normans redistributed it?
Q6.How did William oppress and control the kingdom?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Why did three of William's own earls rebel against him in 1075?
Q2.Who confessed the plot to Lanfranc, leading to its discovery?
Q3.What does the term ‘garrison’ mean?
Q4.Starting with the earliest, put these events, in the correct time order.
Q5.What did the 1075 revolt reveal about Anglo-Saxon resistance?
Q6.What did the revolt of the earls reveal about Norman rule in England by 1075?
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The revolt of the earls in 1075, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The revolt of the earls in 1075, 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.