New
New
Year 10
AQA
Norman England - sources and historical context
I can explain the strengths and limitations of key sources for Norman England.
New
New
Year 10
AQA
Norman England - sources and historical context
I can explain the strengths and limitations of key sources for Norman England.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Different types of sources provide insights into the historical context of Norman England.
- Three types of sources are visual sources, text sources and material sources.
- Each type of source has strengths and limitations.
Keywords
Source - a direct or first-hand piece of evidence from the past
Historical context - what is happening at the time of a historical event, possibly shaping it
Contemporary - from the same time as something
Common misconception
There are relatively few sources for Norman England, so historians have less to say about this period than later periods of English history.
Historians have plenty to say about Norman England because they are able to interpret the sources available in many different ways to support many different theories.
This lesson is designed to work with all the Norman England Historic Environments, but could easily be adapted to a specific site, for example, in conjunction with the AQA resource pack for that site.
Teacher tip
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
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.
Which keyword describes the language spoken by ordinary people in a region or country?
Q2.
Which keyword describes the ability to choose and appoint bishops and abbots?
Q3.
Which topics does 'Norman conquest and control' not cover?
causes of the conquest
military aspects
monasticism
Q4.
Which topics does 'Life under the Normans' not cover?
feudalism and government
economic and social changes and their consequences
Q5.
Which of the following relate to Norman feudalism and government?
Forest law
Battle of Stamford Bridge
Q6.
Which of the following relate to causes of the Norman conquest?
revolts, 1067-1075
Battle of Hastings
William I’s leadership and government
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Which keyword describes a direct or first-hand piece of evidence from the past?
Q2.
Which keyword describes what is happening at the time of a historical event, possibly shaping it?
Q3.
Complete the sentence: Three types of sources most useful for learning about Norman England are , text sources and ...
written sources
painting sources
Q4.
Which of the following are limitations of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle as a source about Norman England?
written within a year of the events it describes
provides insights as to how the English felt about Normans
Q5.
Who wrote ‘Gesta Guillelmi’?
Harold Godwinson
William of Normandy
William II
Q6.
Which of the following are strengths of Norman material sources?
have often been remodelled, extended or damaged
surviving buildings for ordinary people are very rare