Year 7 History Revision Notes

Types of Questions

The test includes both short and long answer questions.
Longer answer questions require explaining events or their consequences using the PEEL method.
- Point: Make your main point.
- Example: Provide a specific example.
- Explain: Explain the example's importance.
- Link: Link back to the main point.
Example of a PEEL paragraph:
- Point: One factor in William's victory at the Battle of Hastings was the exhaustion of Harold's army.
- Example: Just before, the Saxon army had fought the Vikings at Stamford Bridge.
- Explain: The Saxons lost warriors and were tired from the march to Hastings, making them weaker.
- Link: This increased William's chances of winning because the Saxon army was smaller and more tired.

Extended Response Questions

Requires multiple paragraphs.
Consider two sides of an argument (e.g., positive/negative impact).
Use the PEEL structure.
Read instructions carefully for tips on getting top marks.

Key Words

Change: When something becomes different over time.
Continuity: When something stays the same over time.
Cause: The reason why something happens.
Consequence: The result of something.
Primary Source: A source from the time of the event (e.g., a diary).
Secondary Source: A source created after the event by someone who wasn't there (e.g., a textbook).
Chronological Order: Placing events in the order they happened (first to last).

Source-Based Questions

Simple questions based on provided sources.
Example Source A: About the Black Death. Mentions:
- Cause: Bacteria carried by fleas on rats.
- Spread: Through trade routes and crowded cities.
- Symptoms: High fever, swollen lumps.
- Beliefs: Punishment from God.
- Impact: Population loss, economic problems, social changes.

Further Practice: Understanding Sources

Primary vs. Secondary Source: A primary source is from the time of the event; a secondary source is created later.
Soldier's Letter (World War I): Primary source because it was written at the time by someone who experienced it.
History Textbook: Secondary source as it's written after the event by someone not present.
Interview with a Famous Person: Can be primary if it's a firsthand account.
Photograph of a Battle (1800s): Primary source.
How Secondary Sources Help: They provide context and analysis of primary sources.
Biography of a Leader: Secondary because it's written after the person's life by someone else.
Studying Egyptian Pyramids: An ancient stone tablet would be a primary source; a modern article, a secondary source.

Topic 1: 1066

Who Should Be King?

Edward the Confessor died in 1066 without a clear heir.
Edgar the Atheling, his great-nephew, was too young at 14.
Three main contenders:
- Harold Godwinson
- Harald Hardrada
- William of Normandy

Harold Godwinson

From Wessex, a wealthy nobleman.
Claimed Edward named him successor on his deathbed.
His sister was married to Edward, making him the king’s brother-in-law.
Had support from a large portion of the English population.

William of Normandy

Duke of Normandy in France.
Distant relative of Edward the Confessor.
Claimed Edward promised him the throne in 1051.
Said Harold Godwinson swore an oath to help him take the throne.

Harald Hardrada

Viking and king of Norway.
Distant relative of King Cnut.
Supported by Tostig, Harold Godwinson’s brother, who had fallen out with Harold.
Tostig had been replaced as Earl of Northumbria after people rebelled against his rule.
Had support from descendants of previous Viking invaders in the north of England.

Who Was Crowned King?

The Witan (group of powerful rulers) chose Harold Godwinson on January 6, 1066.
William and Harald Hardrada were angered and decided to invade.
This led to the Battle of Stamford Bridge and the Battle of Hastings.

The Battle of Stamford Bridge

Between Harald Hardrada and Harold Godwinson.

The Battle of Hastings

Two sides:
- Harold Godwinson’s army: Fyrd and housecarls.
- William’s Norman army: Cavalry, archers, and foot soldiers.

Harold's Army

Mix of fighting experience.
Fyrd: Part-time soldiers with little training and poor weapons.
Housecarls: Well-trained, professional soldiers.

William's Army

Believed to have more fighting experience overall.

Size

Both armies had between 7,000 and 8,000 soldiers approximately.

Energy

Harold’s army was tired from the Battle of Stamford Bridge.
William’s army was well-rested.

What Happened at the Battle of Hastings?

Harold's army positioned at the top of the Senlac Hill, William's army at the bottom.
William's army charges uphill but is blocked by Harold's shield wall. William's army then pretends to retreat.
Harold's army follows, breaking the shield wall.
William's army turns around and attacks the now broken shield wall.
Harold is killed, William wins and becomes King of England.

Topic 2: The Norman Conquest

The Domesday Book

William needed it to know who to tax after securing England.
He was concerned about a potential Viking invasion in 1085 and needed to fund a large army.
The book surveyed land and people in England, excluding Scotland.
Information was gathered by splitting England into regions based on county borders.
Landowners provided details of their land and occupants.
Commissioners verified the details.
The survey aimed to find out:
- Who owned the land and its worth.
- How many people lived on the land.
- Amount of woodland.
- Number of animals.
- What buildings were present.
- Worth of land and goods in 1066 (William's takeover) and 1086 (time of survey).

The Feudal System

A way of looking at how medieval society was organized.
Hierarchy with the king at the top.
King William took all the land and gave areas to noblemen (clergy, lords, barons) in exchange for money and an army.
Nobility distributed land to knights, who raised an army for the king.
Noblemen also allowed peasants to live and work on the land for taxes and food.
Peasants were the largest and lowest group, making up over 90% of the population.
- Villeins were at the bottom.
- Freemen had more rights.
Peasants had little power individually, but collectively could threaten the king (e.g., the Peasants' Revolt in 1381).

Change Under the Normans

Refer to GCSE Pod lessons 10 and 12 for help.

Topic 3: The Black Death

Symptoms of the Black Death

Bubonic plague spread by rats and fleas due to poor hygiene.
Pneumonic plague spread through air droplets from coughing or sneezing, affecting the lungs.

Impact of the Black Death

Approximately 1/3 of the English population died.
Fewer workers led to higher wages, but the Statute of Labourers attempted to freeze wages.
Farmers and merchants had to reduce prices.
Some peasants bought land and became rich.
Living standards improved (bigger houses, more meat).
Women had more work opportunities and independence.
Some peasants negotiated to pay lords instead of working.
Many remained under the control of the Lord and lacked freedom.
Difficulties in finding people to trade with.
New art styles focused on death and suffering.
Things that didn’t change:
- Farming methods remained basic.
- Few changes in medical treatment.
- England’s conflict with France continued.
- The church/Catholic religion still had a central role in English life.

The Peasants Revolt

In 1381, peasants rebelled against King Richard II due to low pay and a poll tax.
They demanded changes, but the revolt didn’t achieve all aims, and the leader (Wat Tyler) was killed.
In the longer term, there were some improvements to peasants’ rights.
Revolt: To take violent action against an established government or ruler; to rebel.

Test Yourself

Who was Harald Hardrada, and why did he believe he should be king?
Who fought in the Battle of Stamford Bridge?
What did Harold Godwinson have to do straight after the battle?
Who won the Battle of Hastings?
What was the Domesday Book?
List three changes that took place in England under the Normans.
What were some common symptoms of the Black Death?
What proportion of people died in England as a result of the Black Death?
What positive impact did the Black Death have for workers?
Describe two causes of the Peasants Revolt.