Addressing the National Curriculum requirements to study the development of Church, state and society in Medieval Britain 1066-1509 and Local History in Key Stage 3, as well as supporting the AQA, Edexcel, and OCR GCSE specifications, studying the Norman Conquest will be incredibly beneficial for pupils historical knowledge.
We have designed the resources below to help your pupils learn, whether they are in the classroom or at home.
Download the Normans Teachers Pack (pdf, 175 KB) for helpful information and tips on how these resources can assist in your lesson planning.
If you are coming to our Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, check out the Norman Conquest Workshop to immerse your pupils learning while you are with us!
Video
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Audio files – The Anglo Saxon Chronicle
Below are audio recordings of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle entries that depict the battles of Fulford, Stamford Bridge and Hastings. Use as a source comparison to the images of the Royal Armouries’ collection and the Bayeux Tapestry.
Some of the below images are from our collection and will enhance students visual understanding of the Norman Conquest. Hover over the image to reveal more information, including a link to further information and more images of the object.
For images of the Bayeux Tapestry, please contact the Bayeux Tapestry Museum.
Weapons of the Battle of Hastings
Sword 1000-1200 Europe
Swords would have been used by the elite soldiers of the Normans, Saxons and Vikings in the year of 1066. The quality of a sword would have depended on the status of the warrior due to the expense of making such an item. They are so valuable that a lone figure is depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry collecting swords from the field after the battle had finished. Click here to see the object page and more images.
Axe head 900-1000 Europe
Axes were a very common weapon in Europe at the time of the Norman conquest. This axe head is possibly of Viking origin and has a 19cm long blade. The axe head would be mounted on a long wooden handle, between 1.5 and 2 metres in length. These weapons caused a huge amount of damage due to their weight, blade length and reach. They were also cheap to make and required little training to use to a deadly effect. Click here to see the object page and more images.
Spear head 1000-1500 Europe
Spears were very common across Europe in the medieval period as they were cheap and easy to make compared to swords and axes. Their length (between 1.6m and 2.8m/ 5ft 3” and 9ft 3”) ensured they were versatile in their use. Shorter spears (javelins) could be thrown and longer spears (lances) would be used by cavalry to thrust at the enemy whilst charging at speed. Click here to see the object page and more images.
