Blog

Pearson Publishing Ltd
  • Home
    • About us
    • Mobile learning
    • Our history
    • Partnerships
  • Virtual Schools
    • What we offer
    • Pupils
    • Staff/foster carers
    • Confidential Reports
  • MATs
    • What we offer
    • Pupils
    • Staff
    • Governance
  • Schools/Colleges
    • What we offer
    • Pupils
    • Staff
    • Governance
  • Mobile Solutions
    • What we offer
    • Training and mLearning
    • Smart publishing
  • Blog
  • Contact

So you think you know William the Conqueror?

14/10/2017

0 Comments

 
Today is the 951st anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, when William, Duke of Normandy, won a historic victory against the Anglo-Saxon King Harold Godwinson. We take a look at what we're taught about this event, and what we not so familiar with...
Teachers, parents and pupils alike know this key event as the start of the Norman Conquest of England, which brought about big changes for English culture and customs:
  • The Anglo-Saxons had lived in wooden huts, but the new Norman landowners built stone castles to defend themselves against the Saxons including the Tower of London.
  • Although Christianity was already the main religion, William reorganised the Church and the Normans built some of England's greatest cathedrals, including Ely Cathedral and Durham Cathedral.
  • Whereas under the Anglo-Saxons Old English had been the dominant language, after the conquest French became the language of power.
Picture
But here are some things you may not know about William the Conqueror and the Battle of Hastings:
  1. He was of Viking descent: Although he grew up in Normandy and spoke French, William was descended from Scandinavian invaders.
  2. His original nickname was William the Bastard: His father Robert I, Duke of Normandy, had an affair with a woman called Herleva, leading to William’s unfortunate nickname which his critics continued to use even after his victory at the Battle of Hastings.
  3. He introduced the name ‘William’ to England: Previously an uncommon name in England, the name quickly became widespread after the Norman Conquest. By the 13th century, it was the most common man’s name, and it is still one of the top 10 names for men.
  4. Millions can trace their ancestry back to him: Every British monarch is one of William’s descendants, and some genealogists claim that more than 25% of the English population is distantly related to William.
​
There are loads of ways you can teach children about the Battle of Hastings. You can visit the site of the battle which is now an English Heritage site and lies next to the town of Battle, about 5 miles from Hastings in East Sussex. This weekend, over 600 soldiers will take part in the infamous Battle of Hastings re-enactment at the site, and there will be other activities and displays such as falconry, archery and cavalry horsemanship.
​
​Our app The Anglo-Saxons is another great way to learn about the Battle of Hastings, why it happened and what life was like before the Norman invasion. Following the KS2 curriculum, the app also explores the history and day-to-day lives of the Anglo-Saxons. Beginning with the invasions, battles and leaders that shaped Anglo-Saxon England, this guide also provides a detailed account of everyday life, from religious beliefs and beautiful treasures to literature and the famous story Beowulf. It is also packed with quizzes and creative activities to keep children engaged.

Picture
​To find out more, visit pearson.co.uk/the-anglo-saxons or email info@pearson.co.uk. You can also explore our other history titles The Vikings, Ancient Greece and Roman Britain.

And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @PearsonPublish!
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Author

    Rachel Maton

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Academies
    Care Leavers
    Children In Care
    Classroom Skills
    Competition
    CPD
    EAL
    Early Years Foundation Stage
    English
    Exams
    Further Education
    Governance
    Headteachers
    History
    Home Education
    Intern
    Leaders
    Maths
    M-learning
    MyLibrary
    MyLife
    NQTs
    Partners
    Pastoral
    Primary
    PSHE
    Revision
    Safeguarding
    SATs
    Science
    Secondary
    Staff Development
    Summer
    Teachers
    Virtual Schools
    Wellbeing

    Archives

    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015

Company

About
nimbl
Careers

Products

Pupils
Staff
School management
Home education
Socrates 360

Support

MyLibrary FAQs
​Tablets
Cookies & privacy

Contact

Contact us
Blog
Tweets by PearsonPublish
© COPYRIGHT PEARSON PUBLISHING 2016-2017. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Pearson Publishing is an independent company, not related in any way to Pearson Education or Pearson PLC.

  • Home
    • About us
    • Mobile learning
    • Our history
    • Partnerships
  • Virtual Schools
    • What we offer
    • Pupils
    • Staff/foster carers
    • Confidential Reports
  • MATs
    • What we offer
    • Pupils
    • Staff
    • Governance
  • Schools/Colleges
    • What we offer
    • Pupils
    • Staff
    • Governance
  • Mobile Solutions
    • What we offer
    • Training and mLearning
    • Smart publishing
  • Blog
  • Contact
✕