connected to the Marches, the borderlands between Wales and England

The Marcher earls

History

In 'Norman England: how did William the Conqueror subdue England?', pupils learnt about the reaction of the Anglo-Saxons to Norman rule and how William consolidated his 1066 victories. In this unit, pupils will learn how their knowledge of Norman England can be applied to a specific historic environment linked to the Normans.

Historic environment (Norman England)

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

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

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Which word describes a person connected to the Marches?

Which word describes the territory controlled by an earl?

They offered hiding places for those planning resistance.

They were controlled by one very powerful Welsh king.

They were not fully under either Welsh or English control.

The people who lived there frequently raided England and Welsh kingdoms.

Why did the borderlands of the Welsh Marches provide problems for William the Conqueror?

Who did William appoint as the first Marcher earls?

Which Marcher earl achieved the biggest expansion of their territory in Wales?

Which word describes being banned from living in your native country, usually for acting against those in charge?

Complete the sentence: Gruffydd ap Llywelyn’s ambitions were not restricted to Wales - the borderlands of the Welsh {{}} were also an area where he hoped to expand his territory.

By the middle of the 11th century, who was the most powerful figure in Wales?

How far was Hereford from the border of Wales?

Ralph the Timid was made the Earl of Hereford.

Ralph added to the defences of Hereford with innovations from Normandy.

Aelfgar, Earl of Mercia allied with Gruffydd ap Llywelyn to invade Hereford.

Ralph’s army was defeated and he fled from Hereford.

Harold Godwinson refortified the city and pursued the attackers into Wales.

Gruffydd kept the new territories he had taken over along the border.

Put the following events in chronological order.

Aelfgar died and was succeeded as Earl of Mercia by his son, Edwin.

Gruffydd raided Worcestershire in Mercia.

Harold Godwinson launched a surprise attack on Gruffydd.

Harold attacked the south of Wales whilst Tostig attacked the north.

Gruffydd was killed and his head sent to Harold as proof.

Wales was separated back into a number of smaller kingdoms.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision recommended

Starter Quiz