Women and the medieval Church
I can describe how the Church influenced ideas about the role of women in medieval Britain.
Women and the medieval Church
I can describe how the Church influenced ideas about the role of women in medieval Britain.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The medieval Church was extremely powerful and had a significant influence on people's ideas about the role of women.
- Medieval Britain was a patriarchal society in which men had more power, control, and opportunities than women.
- The work completed by medieval women was partly determined by whether they lived in the countryside or in towns.
- The medieval Church represented one route to greater independence for women.
- Some medieval women became literate through the Church.
Keywords
Church - the Church is the organisation of the Christian religion
Priest - a priest is a religious leader who performs ceremonies, rituals and provides guidance
Patriarchal - patriarchal relates to a society that is controlled by men
Guild - a guild is a group of a certain type of craftsmen with their own rules
Nun - a nun is a woman who has withdrawn from normal life to dedicate her life to God
Common misconception
Medieval women completed no work other than housework and looking after children.
Although they were responsible for housework and childcare and did not have the same opportunities to work as men, women in the medieval period completed a range of other work; the type of work they completed was determined by where they lived.
To help you plan your year 9 history lesson on: Women and the medieval Church, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 history lesson on: Women and the medieval Church, 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 3 history lessons from the Thematic study: how has the role of women in British society changed? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Made laws and ruled the country
Helped the king to rule and gave him advice
Ran the Church and gave the king advice
Fought in war for their lord and the king
Farmed their lords' land