Course overview - Study Period 3
"He who writes the past controls the past". How accurate is this statement with regards to Medieval Kingship?
This study session will introduce learners to Medieval Kingship. The overarching question that runs through the whole of the unit will address the statement "He who writes the past controls the past.” How accurate is this statement with regards to medieval kingship? The first session introduces them to the qualities and attributes that were expected of a medieval King, thus to make learners aware that kingship then was different to today and will give them a set of criteria to compare our chosen Kings to. They will then use the subsequent sessions carrying out case studies of five different medieval monarchs. The lessons have been designed to develop learners' thinking skills, source analysis skills and skills of argument. As the unit progresses there will be more of an emphasis on using primary sources in their learning. The unit will culminate with a clear focus on using different types of sources to analyse what kind of King John was.
Key Concept:
Kingship
Assessment Points:
Regular assessments of subject matter and knowledge retention using Google Forms and written questions assessing interpretations of King John.
Guidance:
1:1 interaction
Google Form assessments will be marked, and learners will be guided to focus on answers they missed.
Practice written questions and feedback given
Key Vocabulary:
Kingship - The state or position of being king
Monarchy - a form of government with a monarch as the head.
Primary source - an original document that has not been altered, a first hand account from the time period
Secondary source - a source that has been produced by someone who did not participate first hand or experience a particular event
Bishops - A senior member of the Christian clergy
seized - To take something from someone suddenly and forcefully
Coronation - The ceremony of crowning someone king or queen.
Parliament - A law making group within the government of a country
Taxes - a sum of money, demanded by those in charge of a country, that is used to pay for essentials within a country
barons - a very important person granted the use of land by the King in return for homage, fealty and military service
nobles - a distinguished person in society who often rule over areas of land
Feudal System - A system set up to help with rules and order of a country. People would grant land to lower ranking people in return for protection.
Domesday Book - A survey designed to record everything that was owned in England in 1086.
Harrying of the North - William the Conquerors brutal response to rebellions in the North of England.
Rebellion - the act of resisting a government or king.
Archbishop of Canterbury - The most senior bishop of the Church of England
Crusades - A series of Holy Wars between Christians and Muslims that took place in the Middle Ages.
Magna Carta - A legal document that King John was forced to sign by the barons. It is often called the Great Charter of Civil Liberties.