The Norman Conquest
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the reasons for and impact of the Norman conquest on England, as well as the experiences of Norman settlers.
Key learning points
- In 1066, the Normans conquered England for political and religious influence as well as the opportunity for wealth.
- Although migrants normally had ‘alien’ status, the Normans experience England as rulers.
- The Normans migrated in fairly small numbers but impacted the economy, culture and built environment of England.
- The migration of French monks supported Church reforms and restored England’s place in Christendom.
Keywords
Christendom - a term used to describe the collection of Christian kingdoms in the medieval period
Clergy - people who work in the Church, typically monks and bishops
Monasteries - a building housing a community of monks
Common misconception
As the Normans were rulers of England, they had entirely positive experiences and faced no hostility.
The Normans faced rebellions from Anglo-Saxon communities, but were largely unaffected as these rebellions were brutally put down. However, French monks faced increasingly hostility from English subjects.
Teacher tip
When explaining the reasons for Norman migration, make sure to emphasise that different groups had slightly different reasons for migrating - it is not as simple as 'Normans migrated to England to take control of land'.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which keyword describes a place where coins are produced?
Q2.What does the discovery by archeologists of evidence from other countries suggest about Viking York?
Q3.Why was a Viking coin that had a hammer on it and which said ‘SKIPE TRIO’ a significant find for archeologists excavating Viking York?
Q4.How did the location of Jorvik contribute to improved Viking trade?
Q5.Which of the following is an example of the impact Viking settlers had on York which can still be seen today?
Q6.Complete the sentence: As a city of such importance for both the Romans and Anglo-Saxons, York was the perfect site for a new Viking capital of the .
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to the definitions.
the collection of Christian kingdoms in the medieval period
people who work in the Church, typically monks and bishops
a building housing a community of monks
Q2.Complete the sentence: In , the Normans conquered England for political and religious influence as well as the opportunity for wealth.
Q3.Who believed he was the rightful heir to the English throne?
Q4.Match the reason for migration to England to the Norman migrant.
the wealth opportunities from England's fertile land
monasteries played a huge role in the English wool trade
wanted to help restore the power of the Church
William offered them a reward of lands and titles
Q5.Why did Norman monks face hostility in England?
Q6.Which of the following show the Normans' impact on the English economy?
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The Norman Conquest, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The Norman Conquest, 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 Migrants in Britain, c800–present unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.