Aethelflaed and Edward
I can explain how the campaigns of Aethelflaed and her brother Edward laid the foundations for the birth of England.
Aethelflaed and Edward
I can explain how the campaigns of Aethelflaed and her brother Edward laid the foundations for the birth of England.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- After her husband’s death in 911, Aethelflaed worked with her brother Edward, King of Wessex to attack the Vikings.
- She captured Tamworth, Mercia’s old capital, and used it as a base from which to drive back the Vikings.
- At the same time, her brother Edward won numerous victories against the Vikings in East Anglia.
- In 917 Aethelflaed launched an assault on the Viking town of Derby, capturing it, followed by Leicester soon after.
- On the eve of Aethelflaed's death in 918, only York remained as a Viking stronghold.
Keywords
Formidable - when something is formidable it inspires fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, or capable
Campaign - a campaign is a series of military operations intended to achieve a particular goal
Stronghold - a stronghold is a place that has been fortified to protect it against attack
Common misconception
Pupils may not understand that it was a combination of factors that led to laying the foundations of England.
Aethelflaed and Edward were able to lay the foundations for England by establishing strongholds to protect their towns and cities, combining their forces and leading campaigns together.
To help you plan your year 6 history lesson on: Aethelflaed and Edward , download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 6 history lesson on: Aethelflaed and Edward , 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.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 2 history lessons from the The Vikings: how did Viking settlement change Britain? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
a person of great power or authority
an Anglo-Saxon fortification or fortified settlement
a holy person who has died and been officially honoured by the Church
Exit quiz
6 Questions
when something large or powerful inspires fear or respect
a series of military operations intended to achieve a particular goal
a place that has been fortified to protect it against attack