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Year 10
AQA

Rebellions against Norman rule

I can recall key rebellions against Norman rule in Wales and the Marches.

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Year 10
AQA

Rebellions against Norman rule

I can recall key rebellions against Norman rule in Wales and the Marches.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Eadric the Wild's revolt relied on support from Wales.
  2. William faced a serious rebellion in 1075 that involved the earl of Hereford.
  3. Norman control in Wales was reduced during the reign of William Rufus.
  4. In 1136, Norman forces in west Wales were defeated at the Battle of Crug Mawr.

Keywords

  • Rebellion - an armed uprising against a ruler

  • Revolt - to take violent action against a ruler

Common misconception

The Norman period in England ended with the death of William I.

In fact, there were four more Normans after William I: William II and Henry I (both sons of William I), Matilda (the daughter of Henry I) and Stephen (Henry's nephew). Matilda was not accepted as England's queen, leading to civil war with Stephen.


To help you plan your year 10 history lesson on: Rebellions against Norman rule, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

A framing question for this lesson could be: Was Norman control of Wales ever secure?
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Teacher tip
content-guidance

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

copyright

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.
Who were the Marcher earls and what was their primary responsibility?
Religious leaders overseeing church lands
Correct answer: Tenants-in-chief responsible for governing border regions and providing knights
Independent rulers with no ties to the king
Wealthy merchants controlling trade routes
Q2.
Which Marcher earl was responsible for the construction of multiple castles along the Welsh border, including Chepstow Castle?
Roger of Montgomery
Correct answer: William FitzOsbern
Hugh d’Avranches
Robert of Rhuddlan
Q3.
Roger of Montgomery, Earl of Shrewsbury, appointed the Bald as his sheriff to crush the Welsh, and other opponents, in the Marches.
Correct Answer: Warin, warin
Q4.
What happened to Roger of Breteuil after his failed revolt against the king in 1075?
He was promoted to a higher position
Correct answer: He was imprisoned and lost all his lands
He successfully took control of the kingdom
He was exiled to Normandy
Q5.
The castelry at Castle was expanded by Roger of Breteuil, taking advantage of a power struggle between Welsh rulers in 1072.
Correct Answer: Chepstow, chepstow
Q6.
Which baron was responsible for leading raids into Powys and Ceredigion as part of the Norman expansion into Wales?
Robert of Rhuddlan
Correct answer: Warin the Bald
Roger de Pitres
Turstin FitzRolf

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Who was Eadric the Wild, and what was the primary reason for his rebellion against Norman control?
A Norman knight unhappy with his rank
Correct answer: An Anglo-Saxon thegn who lost land and authority to Normans
A Welsh prince resisting English rule
A Danish invader seeking to claim the English throne
Q2.
Which Norman earl was involved in the Revolt of the Earls in 1075?
William FitzOsbern
Correct answer: Roger de Breteuil
Robert of Rhuddlan
Hugh d’Avranches
Q3.
The Revolt of the Earls in 1075 was a response to William the Conqueror's reduction of held by the earls.
Correct Answer: authority, Authority
Q4.
What was the outcome of William Rufus' punitive expedition into Wales in 1095?
A decisive Norman victory
Correct answer: Norman forces were pushed back due to effective Welsh resistance
William Rufus successfully established new castles
The Welsh were completely subdued
Q5.
The Battle of Crug Mawr in 1136 resulted in a significant weakening of control in Wales.
Correct Answer: Norman, norman
Q6.
Which Welsh rulers led the 1094 rebellion against Norman expansion in Wales?
Owain ap Caradog and Bleddyn ap Cynfyn
Correct answer: Gruffudd ap Cynan and Cadwgan ap Bleddyn
Rhys ap Tewdwr and Gruffudd ap Rhys
Bleddyn ap Maenarch and Rhydderch ap Iestyn

Additional material

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