There are three key topics making up the historical context of Norman England.
'Norman conquest and control' covers causes of the conquest, military aspects and establishing and maintaining control.
'Life under the Normans' covers feudalism and government and economic and social changes and their consequences.
'The Norman Church and monasticism' covers the Church and monasticism.

Keywords

Inheritance - receiving property or other items from a parent or other after their death
Patronage - the support that an overlord provided to their vassal in return for homage
Romanesque - an architectural style inspired by the buildings of ancient Rome
Investiture - the ability to choose and appoint bishops and abbots
Vernacular - the language spoken by ordinary people in a region or country

Common misconception

The Anglo-Saxon Church was old-fashioned and corrupt.

The Normans were keen to present the Anglo-Saxon Church that way, but Edward the Confessor had kept up with reforms from the rest of Europe.

This lesson is designed to be used as a way of making links between this year's historic environment and the historical context themes of the AQA course.

Teacher tip

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

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).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

Complete the sentence: The cathedral's scale and grandeur were unprecedented in England; it was built on similar proportions to St Peter’s in Rome.

Correct Answer: Basilica

Q2.

Complete the sentence: Durham Cathedral is a prime example of Norman architecture, characterised by its huge proportions, thick walls and rounded arches.

Correct Answer: Romanesque

Q3.

Match each architectural feature of Durham Cathedral with what it symbolises.

Correct Answer:rounded arches,signifies grandeur and stability in Norman Romanesque style

signifies grandeur and stability in Norman Romanesque style

Correct Answer:ribbed vaults,shows innovative engineering

shows innovative engineering

Correct Answer:high ground location,symbolises Normans' power and strategic advantage

symbolises Normans' power and strategic advantage

Correct Answer:incorporation of Anglo-Saxon motifs,reflects continuity with earlier church designs and traditions

reflects continuity with earlier church designs and traditions

Q4.

Match the evidence about Durham Cathedral to whether it shows change and continuity.

Correct Answer:change,ribbed vaulting, dual role of prince-bishop, Church leaders replaced

ribbed vaulting, dual role of prince-bishop, Church leaders replaced

Correct Answer:continuity,use of local saints, traditional church design, Anglo-Saxon motifs

use of local saints, traditional church design, Anglo-Saxon motifs

Q5.

The Normans' innovative architectural techniques paved the way for a later architectural style, which style was this?

Brutalism

Neoclassical

Correct answer: Gothic

Bauhaus

Q6.

How did the location of Durham Cathedral contribute to its strategic importance?

It was situated in a lowland area.

It was close to major trade routes.

Correct answer: It was built on high ground.

It was near the Scottish border.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

Match the terms to the correct definition.

Correct Answer:investiture,the ability to choose and appoint bishops and abbots

the ability to choose and appoint bishops and abbots

Correct Answer:patronage,support that an overlord provided to their vassal in return for homage

support that an overlord provided to their vassal in return for homage

Correct Answer:inheritance,receiving property or other items from a relative after their death

receiving property or other items from a relative after their death

Q2.

Which word describes an architectural style inspired by the buildings of ancient Rome?

Correct Answer: Romanesque, romanesque

Q3.

Which three topics does 'Norman conquest and control' cover?

Correct answer: causes of the conquest

feudalism and government

Correct answer: military aspects

monasticism

Correct answer: maintaining control

Q4.

Which topics does 'Life under the Normans' cover?

Correct answer: economic and social changes and their consequences

the Church

Correct answer: feudalism and government

military aspects

monasticism

Q5.

Which two of the following are not military aspects of Norman England?

Anglo-Saxon and Norman tactics

Correct answer: the Harrying of the North

Correct answer: the inheritance of William II

cavalry and castles

Q6.

Which of the following relate to the Church of Norman England?

Latin usage and the vernacular

Correct answer: Archbishop Lanfranc and reform of the English Church

Correct answer: the Investiture Controversy

the building of abbeys and monasteries