starter activity

How would you feel if the following

happened to Britain today…write down any adjectives that come to mind

A foreign army invades the South East then A foreign army invades the South East then occupies the rest of the countryoccupies the rest of the country

The head of state is killed and replaced by a The head of state is killed and replaced by a foreignerforeigner

Anyone who has an important job loses it and is Anyone who has an important job loses it and is replaced by a foreign invaderreplaced by a foreign invader

The new ruler punishes anyone who disagrees with The new ruler punishes anyone who disagrees with the new laws he passes, this could mean mutilation the new laws he passes, this could mean mutilation or even death!or even death!

Existing buildings are torn down and replaced by Existing buildings are torn down and replaced by those built in a new foreign stylethose built in a new foreign style

Everyone has to speak a new language, some even Everyone has to speak a new language, some even have to change their nameshave to change their names

Your taskYour task

What did you write? Share your choice of adjectives with the

class.

Three claimants, Three claimants, one throne!one throne!

To find out the characteristics of a To find out the characteristics of a strong medieval kingstrong medieval king

To study the strengths of the 3 To study the strengths of the 3 claimants to the English throneclaimants to the English throneTo evaluate which king had the To evaluate which king had the

stronger claimstronger claim

LOs

Your taskYour task

What qualities does a medieval king need to have in order to be successful?

Edward the ConfessorEdward the Confessor Father, Aethelred the Father, Aethelred the

Unready, mother Emma Unready, mother Emma of Normandyof Normandy

Spoke French, brought Spoke French, brought up in Normandyup in Normandy

Deeply religiousDeeply religious Ruled with help of Ruled with help of

Godwin family Godwin family (married Edith Godwin)(married Edith Godwin)

Nominated Harold Nominated Harold Godwin as his heirGodwin as his heir

Edward on the Bayeux Tapestry

Your taskYour taskDivide the class Divide the class into three groups. into three groups. Each group will Each group will assess the claim to assess the claim to the throne of the throne of different men. You different men. You then need to then need to decide who had decide who had the greater claim.the greater claim.

Coronation of Edward from C13th manuscript

ClaimantsClaimants StrengthsStrengths WeaknessesWeaknesses

William, Duke William, Duke of Normandyof Normandy

Harald Harald Hardrada, Hardrada,

King of King of VikingsVikingsHarold Harold

Godwinson Godwinson (Anglo-Saxon (Anglo-Saxon

Earl)Earl)

Your taskYour task We are going to hold a We are going to hold a hustingshustings to to

see who would be the best candidate see who would be the best candidate for the job of king of England. for the job of king of England.

HomeworkHomework Write a campaign speech for either Harold Write a campaign speech for either Harold

Godwinson, Harald Hardrada or William the Godwinson, Harald Hardrada or William the

Conqueror. You Conqueror. You mustmust include the following: include the following: Explanation of why you are such a strong Explanation of why you are such a strong

candidatecandidate Explanation of why the other candidates are so Explanation of why the other candidates are so

poorpoor You You maymay wish to explain how you would wish to explain how you would

improve life in Anglo-Saxon Britain and even improve life in Anglo-Saxon Britain and even create an election logo or slogancreate an election logo or slogan