Norman changes to the English landscape
I can explain how historians use material remains to understand the use of castles in Norman England.
Norman changes to the English landscape
I can explain how historians use material remains to understand the use of castles in Norman England.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The Normans faced many rebellions during William the Conqueror's reign.
- The Normans built motte-and-bailey castles to deter these rebellions.
- The Normans introduced new stone buildings to many towns.
- Historians use the material remains of castles to study the Norman period.
Keywords
Siege - the act of surrounding a town and refusing to let people out or goods in
Motte-and-bailey castle - a type of fortification introduced to England by the Normans
Common misconception
The written word is the only useful source for the study of the past.
Although written sources are useful, material remains can reveal much about past societies - it depends on the questions historians ask of the source.
To help you plan your year 7 history lesson on: Norman changes to the English landscape, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 7 history lesson on: Norman changes to the English landscape, 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.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the The Norman Conquest: how do we know about the impact of the Conquest on England? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Starter quiz
6 Questions
local, untrained Anglo-Saxons who were called up to fight
the defensive line of shields used by Anglo-Saxon armies
foot soldiers
soldiers on horseback
Exit quiz
6 Questions
a ditch, sometimes filled with water, surrounding the castle
the castle courtyard; an open area inside the outer defences
a tall structure within a castle used for keeping a lookout
a mound of earth
