The uprising against Earl Tostig Godwinson
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain what the uprising against Tostig in 1065 reveals about who held power in Anglo-Saxon England.
Key learning points
- Tostig Godwinson was made the earl of Northumbria, part of the Danelaw.
- Earl Tostig's actions made him very unpopular.
- In 1065, there was an uprising against Tostig.
- King Edward ordered his other earls to put down the rebellion.
- Harold Godwinson ignored Edward's order and Tostig Godwinson was exiled.
Keywords
Uprising - an uprising is an act of opposition, sometimes using violence, by many people in one area of a country against those who are in power
Danegeld - Danegeld was a tax raised to give to the Danes (Vikings) to prevent further invasions
Housecarls - housecarls were the elite soldiers that guarded important people
Nobles - nobles were people with a high rank in Anglo-Saxon society: earls, bishops, thegns
Common misconception
Harold Godwinson would help his brother Tostig.
Harold’s ambitions to be king meant he did little to help his brother Tostig. If Harold became king, he would want to avoid making enemies of Mercia and Northumbria. He wanted to show the Witan that he was loyal to England, beyond his family.
Teacher tip
Create a map outlining the causes and events of the uprising. Have students place markers for key locations like Northumbria, Mercia, Wessex, and York, discussing the strategic importance of each.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
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.A is someone who writes a record of historical events.
Q2.Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into the order in which they happened.
Q3.A person expected to inherit the throne after the monarch has died is known as a .
Q4.Why was Harold visit to Normandy in around 1064 significant?
Q5.In which country did Harold and his brother Tostig lead a series of successful military campaigns in the 1060s?
Q6.In which year did Harold Godwinson become Earl of Wessex?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words with their definitions. Write the correct letter in each box.
a tax raised to give to the Vikings to prevent further invasions
the elite soldiers that guarded important people.
people with a high rank in Anglo-Saxon society: earls, bishops, thegns
Q2.This keyword is an act of opposition, sometimes using violence, by many people in one area of a country against those who are in power.
Q3.In which year was there an uprising against Tostig?
Q4.Why was Tostig Godwinson very unpopular?
Q5.What happened to anyone who was suspected to be a supporter of Tostig?
Q6.Which of the following statements accurately describe the outcome of the uprising against Earl Tostig.
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The uprising against Earl Tostig Godwinson, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The uprising against Earl Tostig Godwinson, 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.