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Year 10
Edexcel

Migration in medieval England

I can explain the reasons for migration, experiences and impact of migrants on medieval England.

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New
New
Year 10
Edexcel

Migration in medieval England

I can explain the reasons for migration, experiences and impact of migrants on medieval England.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. People migrated because of the potential for political and religious influence as well as financial gain.
  2. Migrant experiences varied across the period, they depended on the relationship between the authorities and migrants.
  3. Migrants had an impact on the economy, built environment and culture of medieval England.

Common misconception

Migrant experiences were dependent solely on when they migrated to England.

Migrant experiences were dependent on a variety of factors, this includes when they migrated, the relationship between each migrant group and the authorities and where in England they settled.

Keywords

  • Danelaw - the area of England in the north and east controlled by the Vikings

  • Angevin Empire - territories in England, Wales, Ireland and France held by Henry II and his descendants in the 12th and 13th centuries

  • Assimilate - how far individuals or groups of immigrants adopt the culture, customs and values of the majority of people living in their new home country

  • Autonomy - how far individuals or groups of migrants hold onto the culture, customs and values of their homeland

When considering the reasons and impact of migrants in the medieval period, encourage students to consider the relative importance of each area, e.g., what was the greatest reason for migration?, where did migrants have the greatest impact?
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • 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).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to the correct definitions.
Correct Answer:antisemitism,hatred of or discrimination towards Jewish people

hatred of or discrimination towards Jewish people

Correct Answer:Low Countries,made up of modern-day Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg

made up of modern-day Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg

Correct Answer:usury,the action of lending money & charging interest, Pope called it a sin

the action of lending money & charging interest, Pope called it a sin

Correct Answer:Angevin Empire,territories in England, Wales, Ireland and France held by Henry II

territories in England, Wales, Ireland and France held by Henry II

Q2.
Which of the following statements explain why merchants and craftspeople migrated to medieval England for economic reasons?
Correct answer: Italian bankers were invited to replace Jewish moneylenders.
European merchants posed less of a threat to Norman rule.
Correct answer: Skilled Flemish weavers in England reduced the cost of exporting wool.
Correct answer: They worked in different professions, including blacksmithing and candle making
Q3.
Put the following events relating to the way migrant craftspeople and merchants were treated in medieval England in reverse chronological order.
1 - ‘Letters of denization’ offered to migrants
2 - Charter of Merchants signed
3 - Flemish weavers expelled from England
4 - Flemish weavers invited to England
Q4.
Complete the sentence: Merchants and craftspeople had a significant impact on the medieval English economy, especially the trade.
Correct Answer: wool, Wool
Q5.
What fraction of English people died in the Black Death?
1/4
Correct answer: 1/3
1/2
2/3
Q6.
Why were Flemish weavers expelled only a month after being invited to migrate to England in 1270?
Henry III decided he did not like the style of weaving they did
tensions had increased between the Low Countries and the Henrician Empire
the English weavers revolted when they arrived
Correct answer: tensions had increased between Flanders and the Angevin Empire

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which keyword describes how far individuals or groups of immigrants adopt the culture, customs and values of the majority of people living in their new home country?
Correct Answer: assimilate, Assimilate
Q2.
Which keyword describes how far individuals or groups of migrants hold onto the culture, customs and values of their homeland?
Correct Answer: Autonomy, autonomy
Q3.
Which of the following statements are false?
Correct answer: French monks migrated to work in the gold trade.
Vikings settled in England to expand their trade routes.
Jewish people migrated to work in a variety of professions.
Correct answer: Angevin Empire rulers wanted to expand the silk trade.
Q4.
Which of the following groups migrated for political reasons in the medieval period?
Correct answer: the Vikings
French monks
Correct answer: the Normans
Jewish moneylenders
Italian bankers
Q5.
Which of the following groups migrated for economic reasons in the medieval period?
Correct answer: the Vikings
Correct answer: French monks
the Normans
Correct answer: Jewish moneylenders
Correct answer: Italian bankers
Q6.
Which of the following groups of migrants impacted the built envrionment?
the Vikings
Correct answer: the Normans
Italian bankers
Correct answer: Jewish moneylenders

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