Hi there, I'm Mr. Roberts, and thanks for joining me for today's history lesson, where my job will be to guide you through our history resources.

I'll be making sure that by the end of today's lesson, you'll be able to securely meet our lesson objective.

By the end of today's lesson, you'll be able to explain the strengths and limitations of key sources for Norman England.

There are three key terms which we need to make sure we're comfortable with before embarking on our learning journey today.

A source is a direct or firsthand piece of evidence from the past.

And historical context refers to what is happening at the time of a historical event, possibly shaping it.

And contemporary means from the same time as something else.

Our lesson today is separated into three learning phases, and the first part examines visual sources.

The Bayeux Tapestry stands as the most renowned visual source for understanding Norman England.

This extraordinary 70-meter-long embroidery was crafted sometime between 1066 and the 1080s, meticulously narrating the story of the Norman invasion and the consequential Battle of Hastings.

While its primary significance lies in depicting the Battle of Hastings, the tapestry also vividly portrays numerous facets of Anglo-Saxon and Norman life and culture.

For instance, one scene vividly captures a motte-and-bailey castle in France under attack.

The key features of the castle such as the motte, palisade, tower, ditches, and a steep walkway or drawbridge, are meticulously detailed.

This scene provides insights into mediaeval military strategies, showing how castles were defended and assaulted both with fire and by foot soldiers.

Much of our understanding of 11th century Norman weapons, armour and equipment is derived from the Bayeux Tapestry.

In one notable scene, a castle is shown being constructed at Hastings.

The rapid construction of these fortifications involved conscripting local labour to dig ditches and pile up earth for the motte.

The tapestry even humorously depicts two workers seemingly brawling behind the back of their Norman overseer.

The tapestry also offers a glimpse into the daily life of the Normans, especially the elite scenes depicting food and drink, hunting, William's favourite pastime, and travel, enrich our understanding of their lifestyle.

However, women are conspicuously rare in the tapestry, with only three depicted compared to 35 dogs and 190 horses.

Next, I'd like you to discuss this question with a partner.

What makes the Bayeux Tapestry a useful source for understanding the historical context of Norman England? Pause the video while you have this discussion, and then press play when you are ready for a potential suggested discussion summary.

Welcome back, and well done if you discuss any of the following.

The Bayeux Tapestry tells the story of the Norman invasion and illustrates key events.

Much of what we know about the 11th century Norman weapons, armour and equipment comes from the Bayeux Tapestry.

It illustrates important features of castles and castle building.

And finally, it shows scenes from everyday life.

Meals, religious practises, and hobbies, for example.

Despite its richness as a historical source, the Bayeux Tapestry has notable limitations.

It was almost certainly commissioned by Bishop Odo of Bayeux who became the earl of Kent in 1066.

The tapestry portrays Odo in a prominent role, perhaps exaggerating his importance due to his status as the patron.

Moreover, the narrative is decidedly from the Norman perspective, emphasising Harold's oath to William and his subsequent betrayal.

The tapestry is also incomplete.

It likely originally included a final section, detailing events up to William's coronation in December 1066.

Some elements of the tapestry are ambiguous, possibly because the embroiderers who were English women from Canterbury might have harboured sympathies towards Harold and the English, subtly influencing their work.

Accuracy is another concern.

For example, the chainmail hauberks depicted on knights include armoured legs, which would've been impractical and uncomfortable for horse-riding, suggesting they were more likely akin to skirts.

This inaccuracy might stem from the embroiderer's unfamiliarity with Norman knight's armour in detail at the time of the tapestry's creation.

Now please take a look at the table on the screen.

Decide whether each feature that is listed is a strength or a limitation of the Bayeux Tapestry as a source for the historical context of Norman England.

Tick the column to show your choice or choices.

Welcome back.

And well done if you identified that its nature as a contemporary source created in the period 1066 to the 1080s is a strength.

The people who made it and commissioned it lived through the events that it depicts.

The fact that the tapestry stops at the end of the Battle of Hastings is a weakness, since the scope of what it can tell us is therefore limited.

The fact that it was made by the order of Bishop Odo of Bayeux, earl of Kent, is also a weakness due to potential bias.

The fact it was embroidered by English women from Canterbury is both a limitation and a strength.

Perhaps the women embroiderers had not seen the Norman knight's armour in detail at the time the tapestry was made, or they might have harboured sympathies towards Harold and the English, subtly influencing their work.

Although this is slightly counterbalanced by the fact that they were contemporaries of the events depicted, as mentioned previously.

The fact that the tapestry generally represents the Norman view of events is a limitation due to its one-sided nature, but the fact that it shows a range of features of everyday Norman life is a strength.

So, well done there.

Now I'd like you to write one paragraph in answer to the question.

How far do you agree with Sofia's view? Sofia says, "The Bayeux Tapestry is not a valuable source for understanding Norman England because it only covers the period 1064 to 1066.

Pause the video while you answer the question and press play when you're ready for some feedback in the form of a model answer for those of you who mostly agree with Sofia.

And a different model paragraph for those of you who mostly disagree with her interpretation.

Welcome back.

If you disagreed with Sofia, then well done if you were able to include any of the following.

I disagree with Sofia's view that the Bayeux Tapestry is not a valuable source because it only covers a short period.

One reason for this is that the period covered is extremely important in English history, and as a result, the tapestry is a key source for understanding the events of the Battle of Hastings and Norman weapons and armour.

A second reason is that the tapestry is a contemporary source for information on features of Norman England, such as castles and how they were constructed.

This means that the tapestry is also a valuable source for a much longer time period.

If you somewhat agreed with Sofia, then well done if you managed to include any of the following.

I agree in part with Sofia's argument.

The Bayeux Tapestry only goes up to the point at which the Normans won the Battle of Hastings, and even for the years 1064 to '66, the tapestry is not a fully reliable source.

It was made for a Norman audience, and so only puts forward the Norman view of events.

However, I do think it has some value as a source.

For example, from the tapestry, historians can understand a lot about the Norman military and the role of innovations such as knights and castles, which had a long-lasting impact on England.

Really well done there.

And with those tasks complete, it's now time to move on to the second learning phase of our lesson today, but we'll be looking at the value of particular text sources from the Norman period.

Compared to later periods of history, Norman England has relatively few contemporary textual sources, which are primary sources written during the Norman period.

Among the most important are the "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle," "Domesday Book," and "William of Poitiers' Gesta Guillelmi" or "The Deeds of William." The "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle" offers year-by-year accounts of key events in Anglo-Saxon and Norman England.

One of its strengths is that it is a contemporary source usually describing events within a year of their occurrence.

Written by English monks, it provides a valuable insights into English culture and reactions to the Norman invasion and conquest.

It details significant events such as battles and revolts with different versions from various monasteries, sometimes offering different details.

However, the Chronicle also has limitations.

It presents an Anglo-Saxon and monastic viewpoints, which can be biassed against the Normans.

Descriptions of key events are sometimes brief, vague, or missing entirely.

Different accounts of the same events do not always align, making it challenging to ascertain what truly happened.

Additionally, it focuses on religious matters and major military and political events with few accounts of everyday life.

On the screen is a passage about William from the "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle" for 1087, the year of William's death.

It reads, "He caused castles to be built which were a sore burden to the poor.

The rich complained and the poor cried but he was too relentless to care even though everyone hated him.

Everyone had to submit themselves completely to the king's will if they wanted to keep their lives and their land, and their goods, and be in the king's favour." Now have a think back to the "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle's" limitations, which two of the following are limitations of the "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle" as a source about Norman England? A, it was written within a year of the events that it describes.

B, some events are only described briefly or vaguely.

C, it provides insights as to how the English felt about Normans.

Or D, accounts are often biassed about Norman actions.

Pause the video while you contemplate the correct answers and then press play for them to be revealed.

Hello again, and well done if you correctly identified that B and D are the limitations of the "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle." The "Domesday Book," compiled from William's Great Survey in 1086, provides an incredibly detailed record of landholding and resources in Norman England.

Its strengths include offering a wealth of reliable data that historians can use to examine population sizes, economic growth, and regional differences.

It's evidences how the Norman administration functioned and highlights the Norman government's interest in financial matters.

The records cover not only 1086 but also 1066, showcasing the impacts of the Norman conquest.

The "Domesday Book" has its limitations.

It doesn't cover all regions of England, notably lacking records for London.

The records themselves can be difficult to interpret and are most detailed for William's tenants-in-chief, providing less detail about ordinary people.

Now on the screen, you'll see an example of an entry in the "Domesday Book" that reads, "The King, who was William the Conqueror, holds the land in Earley.

Almar used to hold it freely from King Edward." Historians can work out how much land William held personally by collating all similar entries.

Almar, for example, was linked to 179 places in 1066, but just 17 in 1086.

A second entry reads, "The Archbishop of Canterbury holds Newington.

In the time of King Edward, it was worth 11 pounds, now it is worth 15 pounds," from which we can ascertain that land in this part of southern England became more valuable.

A third entry reads, "Ulfkil holds Carleton.

In the time of King Edward, it was worth 40 shillings, now it is worth 20 shillings," from which we can learn that land in this part of Yorkshire became less valuable.

Now I'd like you to pause the video while you ponder the following question.

For which two of the following questions can historians use "Domesday Book" to help find an answer? Return to this video when you are ready to continue.

Welcome back, and well done if you identified the correct answers as B and C.

The "Gesta Guillelmi," written in the 1070s by William of Poitiers, a Norman priest, is a historical account of William of Normandy's life.

William of Poitiers knew William well, providing insights into his life that might otherwise be unknown.

The "Gesta" offers detailed information about preparations for William's invasion and the events of the Battle of Hastings, written only a few years after they occurred.

However, the "Gesta" also has limitations.

William of Poitiers was a loyal supporter of William of Normandy, and much of the "Gesta" is written to praise and flatter his Lord, making it one-sided and neglectful of the English perspective on the invasion.

The account stops in 1071, omitting later key events of Norman England.

Next, consider the following question.

When using the "Gesta Guillelmi," why do historians need to keep in mind that William of Poitiers wrote it in order to promote William of Normandy and his claims to the English throne? Pause the video while you discuss your ideas with a partner and then press play for a suggested discussion summary.

Welcome back, and well done if you discussed any of the following.

Historians need to keep in mind that Poitiers was writing in order to promote William's claims to the English throne.

He therefore includes details that support William's claim, whilst neglecting those that suggest other claims were also valid.

Now I'd like you to consider the following statement.

The most important written source for understanding the historical context of Norman England is "Domesday Book." List three points that agree with this statement and three points that disagree with it.

Consider using the strengths of other text sources for your counterarguments.

Pause the video while you do this and then press play when you are ready for some suggestions.

Welcome back, and well done if you thought of any of the following points to agree.

It holds masses of reliable data about landholding and resources.

It shows how the Norman government's administration functioned.

And the records are not just for 1086 but also for 1066, so "Domesday Book" shows the impacts of the Norman conquest.

And on the other side of the argument, some areas are not covered by "Domesday Book." For example, London.

And unlike the "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle," it does not tell us how English people felt about living under Norman rule.

And finally, unlike the "Gesta," it does not provide an account of how Normans justified the conquest and their rule over England.

Really well done there.

We're now ready to move on to the final part of our lesson today, but we'll be looking at material sources from the time of the Norman conquest.

Material sources are physical objects from the past that can be analysed to gain insights into historical events, culture, and daily life.

In the context of Norman England, buildings serve as a significant example of these material sources.

When examining Norman buildings, historians ask a variety of questions to uncover what they reveal about the culture and values of the Normans.

Key questions include, what do these structures tell us about Norman culture and values? Why was it built in that specific location? What was their purpose and what can we learn about Norman life from their design? What impacts and consequences did these buildings have? Why were they constructed in specific ways and what functions did they serve? Additionally, it is important to consider the motivations behind the construction of these buildings and to identify any important events or individuals associated with them.

Unlike other types of historical sources, material sources possess both strengths and limitations.

One significant strength of buildings as material sources is that they provide direct evidence of technology and engineering skills of the time.

For example, the construction techniques and materials used in these buildings reveal much about the technological capabilities of the Normans.

Additionally, coins and trade goods discovered alongside these structures can show us where people engaged in trade, further illuminating the economic landscape of Norman England.

Buildings offer direct evidence from the Norman period itself, as they are not filtered through later interpretations or writings.

They can also provide insights into the lives of non-literate people, allowing historians to understand how these individuals lived and worked in a society that may not have documented their daily experiences in writing.

However, material sources also have notable limitations.

In the absence of written records, historians may struggle to interpret how a building was used or the specific functions it served.

Many structures have been remodelled, extended, or damaged over time, which can complicate the analysis of their original purposes and significance.

Additionally, most surviving buildings tend to be those of considerable importance, making it rare to find examples that represent the lives of ordinary people.

A prime example of a Norman building is Totnes Castle.

The castle's keep and imposing motte visible in historical photographs was designed for defence, making it difficult to attack.

The steep-sided fireproof motte served as a stronghold, housing a garrison of soldiers who will patrol the area to maintain control over Totnes and its surroundings.

Toners castle reveals much about Norman culture and values.

The elevated position of the motte allowed the castle to dominate the settlement, symbolising the Norman's authority and power over the local population.

This visible assertion of control was an essential aspect of Norman governance.

Next, I'd like you to choose the two correct answers from the four options on the screen which would complete the sentence appropriately.

Pause the video while you do this and then press play for the answers to be revealed.

Hello again, and well done If you selected B and D as the correct answers.

Another significance building is Winchester Cathedral, which has a rich history that reflects the transition from Anglo-Saxon to Norman power.

Originally established in the seventh century, it became one of the largest cathedrals in Europe by the ninth century.

In 1079, the Normans demolished the existing Anglo-Saxon cathedral and initiated the construction of a new one under the leadership of Bishop Wakelin, who was appointed by William the Conqueror in 1070.

The new cathedral was built in the Romanesque style, favoured by the Normans for its representation of strength and stability.

The central tower was completed in the early 12th century and the transepts were completed under Wakelin's supervision and survive to this day.

The Romanesque style featured huge stone walls and smaller arched windows, allowing for high towering structures.

This architectural choice not only symbolised Norman power, but also served to impress upon the English populace a sense of continuity with Roman authority.

Next, have a go at the following multiple choice question.

Which two of the following can be learned from studying Winchester Cathedral? Pause the video while you consider which two of the three options are correct and then press play when you are ready to continue.

Hello again, and well done if you selected both A and B.

And for the first part of our final task today, I'd like you to answer each question in one sentence.

From the physical remains, what have historians learned about, A, the purpose of Totnes Castle, and B, the impact of Totnes Castle? Pause the video while you complete this task and then press play when you are ready for some model answers.

Welcome back, and well done if you said, the historians have learned that Totnes Castle was built to house soldiers and to deter rebellions, and the historians have learnt that Totnes Castle would've dominated the settlement of Totnes and intimidated the local Anglo-Saxon population.

Next, I'd like you to answer the following question.

What can historians learn about Norman changes to the English church from the study of Winchester Cathedral? List three points.

Pause the video while you complete this task and then press play to resume our lesson.

Hello again, and well done if you manage to list any of the following points.

That the Normans were trying to recall the power of the Roman Empire, that the Normans wanted to show their piety and Christian devotion, and that the buildings asserted Norman power and control over England.

Really well done with that task.

We've now reached the end of this lesson, but all we have to do is summarise the key learning points from today, and it would be great if you could remember these going forward.

Firstly, visual sources, text sources, and material sources can all be used to deepen our understanding of the historical context of Norman England.

Secondly, there are strengths and limitations to each type of source.

And finally, historians ask questions of sources to produce evidence for a particular inquiry.

For example, what does Totnes Castle tell us about Norman culture and values? Thank you so much for joining me for our lesson today.

It's been a real pleasure to guide you through our learning resources, and I look forward to seeing you again in the future for more history lessons.