The design of Durham Cathedral
I can explain how and why Durham Cathedral was constructed as it was.
The design of Durham Cathedral
I can explain how and why Durham Cathedral was constructed as it was.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Durham Cathedral was built in a meander of the River Wear, on high ground, which provided natural protection.
- Durham Cathedral housed St Cuthbert's shrine.
- Durham Cathedral was built in the powerful Romanesque style.
- Durham Cathedral contains architectural innovations such as rib vaulting.
- Durham Cathedral was designed to separate the monks from the lay people.
Keywords
Shrine - a place for worship that is holy because of a connection with a holy person or object
Nave - the long central part of a church, often with aisles on both sides
Vaulting - arches that support a ceiling or room
Common misconception
Cathedrals are like museums and ordinary people can access all areas.
In fact, in medieval times ordinary people could not cross the screen which partitions the nave from the quire.
To help you plan your year 10 history lesson on: The design of Durham Cathedral, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 history lesson on: The design of Durham Cathedral, 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 4 history lessons from the Durham Cathedral 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
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