New
New
Year 10
AQA
Wales before the Norman Conquest
I can describe conflicts between Wales and England in the 1050s.
New
New
Year 10
AQA
Wales before the Norman Conquest
I can describe conflicts between Wales and England in the 1050s.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- By the middle of the 11th century, Gruffydd ap Llywelyn was the most powerful figure in Wales.
- In the 1050s, Ralph the Timid, a Norman, was Earl of Hereford.
- In 1055, Gruffydd ap Llywelyn attacked Hereford and defeated its defenders.
- Harold and Tostig Godwinson led a military campaign against Gruffydd ap Llywelyn.
- Gruffydd ap Llywelyn was killed and power in Wales was again divided amongst smaller kingdoms.
Keywords
Marches - the name given to the border lands between England and Wales
Campaign - a series of military operations, usually with the aim of defeating an enemy
Exile - being banned from living in your native country, usually for acting against those in charge
Common misconception
Before the Norman invasion in 1066, castles were unknown in Anglo-Saxon England.
In fact, Ralph the Timid built a motte-and-bailey castle in Hereford to guard the city against attacks from Wales.
See what students can recall about some of the names that crop up in this lesson: Edward the Confessor, Harold Godwinson, Tostig Godwinson, Edwin of Mercia.
Teacher tip
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), 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.
Which word describes having many mountains?
Q2.
Complete the sentence: The combination of mountains, land and strategic rivers made Wales an attractive location to the Norman settlers.
Q3.
Complete the sentence: Wales' long has always been important for communication and trade.
mountain range
rivers
grasslands
Q4.
Which Welsh kingdom was in the north and included modern-day Snowdonia?
Deheubarth
Gwent
Powys
Q5.
Why was Saint David’s monastery important?
It became a centre of prayer and of strict observance of Roman rules.
It became a centre of worship and of relaxed observance of monastic rules.
Q6.
What did some societies begin to construct on elevated ground prior to the Romans’ arrival in Wales?
motte-and-bailey castles
cathedrals
stone keep castles
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Which word was the name given to the border lands between England and Wales?
Q2.
Which word describes a series of military operations, usually with the aim of defeating an enemy?
Q3.
Why was the kingdom of Gwynedd arguably the strongest Welsh kingdom in the 11th century?
It had motte-and-bailey castles in every corner to aid defence.
It included the largest river in Wales so controlled the water supply.
Q4.
When did Gruffydd ap Llywelyn become king of Gwynedd?
1052
1055
1063
Q5.
Which of the following were Norman innovations that Ralph the Timid introduced to the defences of Hereford?
a stone keep castle
soldiers in shield wall formation
Q6.
What happened to Wales following Gruffydd’s death?
No change took place to the kingdoms.
Some kingdoms merged further to create one kingdom.
Additional material
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