New
New
Year 10
Edexcel
The revolt of the earls in 1075
I can explain what the revolt of the earls reveals about Anglo-Saxon resistance to Norman rule by 1075.
New
New
Year 10
Edexcel
The revolt of the earls in 1075
I can explain what the revolt of the earls reveals about Anglo-Saxon resistance to Norman rule by 1075.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Three of William’s own earls rebelled against him in 1075, all believing they deserved more land and power.
- Waltheof confessed the plot to Lanfranc.
- English and Norman forces cooperated to stop the revolt.
- William punished most rebels with prison or banishment, however, Waltheof was executed.
- The revolt revealed England was tired of resistance and William could rely on Anglo-Norman leadership to secure England.
Keywords
Earldom - An earldom was a large area of land ruled by an earl on behalf of the king.
Regent - A regent is a person who rules a country for a limited period, because the monarch is absent or too young or too ill.
Garrison - A garrison is a group of soldiers that are stationed in a castle.
Common misconception
Resistance to William’s rule of England, came only from the English.
In 1075, two Norman earls revolted against William, and English forces helped to stop the rebellion.
Debate Waltheof's fate: hold a class debate on whether Waltheof's execution was justified, encouraging students to use evidence from the text.
Teacher tip
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
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).Lesson video
Loading...
Starter quiz
Download starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.
How did William use England’s land to shift power towards the Normans?
He granted half of England’s land to the Church.
He sold half of England’s land to the highest bidder.
Q2.
How did royal seals help to extend William’s royal power across his kingdom?
they kept royal letters secure
they proved that William could ride a horse
Q3.
What book was produced in 1086 after a large survey in England?
The Bayeux Tapestry
The King's Great Matter
Q4.
Which of the following was a method used by William to maintain control of England?
Danish invasions
elections
Q5.
How many Anglo-Saxon thegns held land in 1066 before the Normans redistributed it?
500
1000
10 000
Q6.
How did William oppress and control the kingdom?
by encouraging trade
Exit quiz
Download exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.
Why did three of William's own earls rebel against him in 1075?
They believed an Anglo-Saxon should be king.
They believed that the Church supported their claim.
Q2.
Who confessed the plot to Lanfranc, leading to its discovery?
Roger de Breteuil
Ralph de Gael
William himself
Q3.
What does the term ‘garrison’ mean?
A significant political event.
A group of advisers.
A large gathering for plotting.
Q4.
Starting with the earliest, put these events, in the correct time order.
Q5.
What did the 1075 revolt reveal about Anglo-Saxon resistance?
many Anglo-Saxons supported resistance
many Anglo-Saxons were unaware of resistance
Q6.
What did the revolt of the earls reveal about Norman rule in England by 1075?
that Anglo-Saxons remained hostile to Norman rule
that Norman rule was solely dependent on Norman earls
Additional material
Download additional material