York's importance to the Vikings

History

 In ‘The Vikings: how do we know so much about Viking York?’ pupils return to Britain in the Viking Age with a depth study about Viking York. In ‘The Vikings: how did Viking settlement help to make England?’ the focus switches to the political narrative of how Viking settlement helped to forge England.

In ‘The Great War: how did the Great War affect my local area?’ pupils momentarily left  their study of Viking Age Britain to consider the impact of the First World War on their local area at an appropriate time in the school year. In ‘The Vikings: how do we know so much about Viking York?’ they return Britain in the Viking Age with a depth study about Viking York.

In this unit, pupils learn about the archaeological discoveries made at Coppergate in York. They find out how archaeologists and historians have used artefacts to build a picture of what Viking York would have been like.

The Vikings: how do we know so much about Viking York?

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

There was civil war going on in Northumbria.

What two reasons made York easier to invade?

Which two rivers was York located between?

Why was York a good strategic location for the Vikings?

They wanted the name to have a different meaning.

They wanted to show off that they had successfully invaded.

Why did the Vikings change the Anglo-Saxon name for York?

something that is important for success in war or defence

means to enter a country armed and capture it

Match the keyword with the correct definition.

to use books and sources to study and learn about history

to remove earth carefully from an area to find buried remains

What is the correct meaning of 'excavate' in history?

What is the correct word to describe something in history that is protected from loss and damage?

finding archaeological sites that are only visible from the air

finding artefacts brought to the surface through farming

finding underground archaeological sites 

Match the archaeological method to the correct description.

In what city did the Coppergate discovery happen?

What historical period were the artefacts found at Coppergate from?

How many archaeological finds from the Viking period were discovered during the Coppergate excavation?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

York's importance to the Vikings

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.