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Year 7

Edward I: warrior and just ruler

I can explain how Edward I successfully united England.

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New
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Year 7

Edward I: warrior and just ruler

I can explain how Edward I successfully united England.

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Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Edward I was a strong leader and skilled in warfare.
  2. Edward I wanted to unite England after it had been divided by a civil war between the king and his barons.
  3. Edward I showed he could be a just ruler, and called a Model Parliament in 1295.
  4. Parliament persuaded Edward I to expel Jewish people from England.
  5. Edward I was the first medieval king not to be faced with a civil war.

Keywords

  • Parliament - parliament, or talking meeting, is the group of political representatives who make laws, grant taxes and advise the king

  • Just - just is when something or someone is fair or morally correct

  • Antisemitism - antisemitism is hate or cruel treatment directed at Jewish people

  • Knightly class - the knightly class is the group of landholders beneath the barons

Common misconception

Involving Parliament with the rule of the land meant there would be more fairness and justice.

Parliament passed discriminatory laws: handing more power to parliament did not necessarily mean a growth in rights and freedoms for all.


To help you plan your year 7 history lesson on: Edward I: warrior and just ruler, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Get students to examine a writ of summons to the parliament of 1295. Ask them to identify why historians call this a ‘Model Parliament’ with a focus on its composition.
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content-guidance

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
, or talking meeting, is the group of political representatives who make laws, grant taxes and advise the king.
Correct Answer: Parliament, parliament
Q2.
What is a civil war?
a peaceful protest against the government within a country
Correct answer: a war between different regions or communities within the same country
a war between two or more countries
Q3.
Put the capital cities of England, Wales and Scotland into a south to north order, starting with the capital city that is furthest south, and ending with the one that is furthest north.
1 - London
2 - Cardiff
3 - Edinburgh
Q4.
In the feudal system, what was the primary role of knights?
offering legal advice to their lord
Correct answer: providing military service to their lord
trading goods for their lord
Q5.
William the Conqueror was duke of Normandy; where is Normandy located?
eastern Spain
Correct answer: northern France
southern Germany
western Italy
Q6.
What were the first types of castles built by the Normans in England known as?
concentric castles
Correct answer: motte-and-bailey castles
stone keep castles

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In which of these areas was Edward I stronger than his father, Henry III?
his knowledge of law
Correct answer: his leadership in warfare
his religious devotion
Q2.
What important political event did Edward I order in 1295?
Correct answer: the establishment of the Model Parliament
the signing of a peace treaty with France
the start of the Hundred Years' War
Q3.
Which of these is the best definition of 'parliament' as it was in Edward I's reign?
Correct answer: a group of political representatives who make laws and advise the king
a place where the king lives and works during his reign
a royal decree which outlines justice in the country
a type of medieval court which decides if someone is innocent
Q4.
Starting with the earliest, place these events in chronological order:
1 - Edward becomes King of England
2 - Edict of Expulsion of Jewish people
3 - the Model Parliament
Q5.
What did involving parliament in England's government show about Edward I’s reign?
It showed a commitment to absolute fairness and justice for all.
Correct answer: It showed a fair rule, but the passing of laws was not always just.
It showed the total elimination of the king's power.
Q6.
Edward I was the first medieval king not to face a war during his reign.
Correct Answer: civil, Civil

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