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Year 10
Edexcel

William I and his successors

I can explain what was important about the disputed succession to William I.

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New
New
Year 10
Edexcel

William I and his successors

I can explain what was important about the disputed succession to William I.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. William had a stern personality, shown in the tension with his eldest son, Robert, (who he nicknamed ‘shorty-pants’).
  2. Robert believed that William was denying him power, and in 1077, he rebelled.
  3. William's deathbed succession announcement lacked clarity and divided his kingdom and duchy.
  4. Some of the Norman aristocracy agreed that Robert, as the eldest son, deserved to inherit both Normandy and England.
  5. Robert, Bishop Odo of Bayeux, and six of William’s largest landholders launched a failed attempt to remove William II.

Common misconception

The one-dimensional view of William as a violent conqueror.

In fact, William was very pious and he repented some of the atrocities he had committed during his reign and insisted his treasures should be used to rebuild some of the areas he had harried.

Keywords

  • Succession - succession is the process in which someone automatically inherits a position or property after someone else

  • Realm - a realm is an area ruled by a monarch, duke or other legitimate ruler

  • Primogeniture - primogeniture is the custom of a family's property going to the oldest son when the father dies

Creative writing: Have students review historical sources which describe William’s personality and the positive and negative features of his kingship. Then task students with writing an obituary which will aim to remember the life of William I.
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.
Which keyword describes someone who is focused on things that have no connection with religion or the spiritual world, such as land and money?
Correct Answer: secular, Secular
Q2.
How did Lanfranc's life change following the Norman conquest?
He went from being a regent in Normany to the head of the English Church.
He went from being a monk in Normandy to becoming an abbot in England.
Correct answer: He went from being an abbot in Normandy to the head of the English Church.
Q3.
Complete the sentence: William rewarded Odo with land and power; he was made , the earl of Kent, and became extraordinarily wealthy.
Correct Answer: regent, Regent
Q4.
Why is Odo perhaps shown in the Bayeux Tapestry as having a club rather than an edged weapon, like a sword?
so that he could fight without drawing blood and avoid stains on his shirt
Correct answer: so that he could fight without drawing blood and avoid sinful acts
so that he could fight without drawing blood and avoid feeling squeamish
Q5.
How many ships did Odo contribute to William's invasion fleet?
10
50
Correct answer: 100
500
Q6.
How did one chronicler describe Odo following his land grabs by 1070?
as a "ferocious lion"
as a "hungry hippo"
Correct answer: as a “ravening wolf”

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which keyword describes the process in which someone automatically inherits a position or property after someone else?
Correct Answer: succession, Succession
Q2.
Who was William I married to?
Correct Answer: Matilda of Flanders, Matilda, Queen Matilda of Flanders, Queen Matilda
Q3.
What nickname did William I give his son Robert?
Conqueror
Rufus
Correct answer: Curthose
Beauclerc
Q4.
Put the following events in chronological order.
1 - Robert's younger brothers dumped water on his head.
2 - Robert and his men attempted and failed to take control of Rouen Castle.
3 - William ordered their arrest but they fled into exile.
4 - Robert took refuge with his father’s enemy: Philip I, king of France.
5 - Battle at Gerberoy between William and Robert; William was thrown from his horse
6 - William forgave Robert and confirmed that he would still inherit Normandy.
Q5.
Match the inheritance to the correct son of William's.
Correct Answer:Robert,Duke of Normandy

Duke of Normandy

Correct Answer:William,King of England (if it was God’s will)

King of England (if it was God’s will)

Correct Answer:Henry,£5000

£5000

Q6.
Which custom meant that Robert as William I's eldest son deserved to inherit both realms?
secundogeniture
Correct answer: primogeniture
tertiogeniture

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