William I and his successors
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain what was important about the disputed succession to William I.
Key learning points
- William had a stern personality, shown in the tension with his eldest son, Robert, (who he nicknamed ‘shorty-pants’).
- Robert believed that William was denying him power, and in 1077, he rebelled.
- William's deathbed succession announcement lacked clarity and divided his kingdom and duchy.
- Some of the Norman aristocracy agreed that Robert, as the eldest son, deserved to inherit both Normandy and England.
- Robert, Bishop Odo of Bayeux, and six of William’s largest landholders launched a failed attempt to remove William II.
Keywords
Succession - succession is the process in which someone automatically inherits a position or property after someone else
Realm - a realm is an area ruled by a monarch, duke or other legitimate ruler
Primogeniture - primogeniture is the custom of a family's property going to the oldest son when the father dies
Common misconception
The one-dimensional view of William as a violent conqueror.
In fact, William was very pious and he repented some of the atrocities he had committed during his reign and insisted his treasures should be used to rebuild some of the areas he had harried.
Teacher tip
Creative writing: Have students review historical sources which describe William’s personality and the positive and negative features of his kingship. Then task students with writing an obituary which will aim to remember the life of William I.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which keyword describes someone who is focused on things that have no connection with religion or the spiritual world, such as land and money?
Q2.How did Lanfranc's life change following the Norman conquest?
Q3.Complete the sentence: William rewarded Odo with land and power; he was made , the earl of Kent, and became extraordinarily wealthy.
Q4.Why is Odo perhaps shown in the Bayeux Tapestry as having a club rather than an edged weapon, like a sword?
Q5.How many ships did Odo contribute to William's invasion fleet?
Q6.How did one chronicler describe Odo following his land grabs by 1070?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which keyword describes the process in which someone automatically inherits a position or property after someone else?
Q2.Who was William I married to?
Q3.What nickname did William I give his son Robert?
Q4.Put the following events in chronological order.
Q5.Match the inheritance to the correct son of William's.
Duke of Normandy
King of England (if it was God’s will)
£5000
Q6.Which custom meant that Robert as William I's eldest son deserved to inherit both realms?
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: William I and his successors, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: William I and his successors, 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.