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Year 10
AQA

London and the events of 1066

I can explain the role of London in the events of 1066.

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New
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Year 10
AQA

London and the events of 1066

I can explain the role of London in the events of 1066.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. London played an important supporting role in the Battle of Hastings.
  2. After the Battle of Hastings, the surviving Anglo-Saxon elite chose a new king in London.
  3. William led his army on a strategic march around the southeast of England to intimidate London's population.
  4. William chose to be crowned in London.
  5. After his coronation, William ordered the construction of a castle to guard London.

Keywords

  • Burh - an Anglo-Saxon fortified settlement

  • Submit - to agree to be ruled by someone superior

Common misconception

Anglo-Saxons did not have castles so therefore their settlements did not have strong fortifications.

Anglo-Saxon burhs were fortified settlements, surrounded by strong walls designed to deter Vikings from attacking.


To help you plan your year 10 history lesson on: London and the events of 1066, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Students could work in groups to recap their knowledge of the key events of 1066.
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  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
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Adult supervision recommended

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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 word describes the exchange of goods?
Correct Answer: trade
Q2.
Complete the sentence: Edward the Confessor, known for his piety, played a crucial role in shaping the religious landscape of London, in particular the construction of Westminster...
Correct Answer: Abbey
Q3.
What was Roman Londinium fortified by?
Correct answer: the London Wall
the Tower of London
the River Thames
the London Dungeons
Q4.
Complete the sentence: By the 11th century, London was again an important city due to being a centre of trade, and .
entertainment
Correct answer: religion
Correct answer: government
culture
Q5.
Why was the religious building Edward the Confessor established in Westminster the first building in England to be built in the Normans’ favourite Romanesque style?
Edward's father was Norman and he had spent his whole life in Normandy.
Correct answer: Edward's mother was Norman and he had spent 25 years in Normandy.
Edward wanted to impress and marry a Norman princess.
Correct answer: Edward kept Norman advisors and appointed a Norman as Bishop of London.
Q6.
Put the following events in chronological order.
1 - Londinium was founded.
2 - Londinium became one of the most important cities in Roman Britain.
3 - Roman troops were withdrawn from Britain.
4 - Londinium was abandoned.
5 - Lundenwic was developed.
6 - Alfred the Great re-established the Roman city as a burh.
7 - London was again one of the most important cities in England.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which word describes an Anglo-Saxon fortified settlement?
Correct Answer: burh
Q2.
Which word describes to agree to be ruled by someone superior?
Correct Answer: submit
Q3.
How did London play an important supporting role in the Battle of Hastings?
Harold chose to wait for William in London.
Correct answer: Harold raced north from London to fight Hardrada.
Correct answer: Harold called up levies from the fyrd in London.
Harold fought Hardrada just outside of London.
Q4.
What happened in London after the Battle of Hastings?
The Witan met there to launch a decisive attack against William.
William and his troops became ill whilst staying there.
Correct answer: The surviving Anglo-Saxon elite chose a new king there.
William built a castle there to consolidate his control.
Q5.
Other than London, where else did William see as his main target to secure control of?
Lincoln
Norwich
York
Correct answer: Winchester
Q6.
Why did William choose to be crowned in London?
It was the ancestral and religious capital of Anglo-Saxon England.
Correct answer: William wanted to portray himself as legitimate heir of Edward the Confessor.
Correct answer: It had significant economic importance and trading opportunities.
William wanted to show himself as a better alternative to Edward the Confessor.

Additional material

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