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This term, Year 7 students have been learning about different groups that have migrated to Britain over time, and how William the Conqueror was able to gain control. 60 of our Year 7 students were able to go on a trip to Norwich Castle to enhance their understanding of their most recent topic. During our visit, students took part in four different workshops each focused on different methods of control used by William and the Normans.

Norman Armies:

Students were able to get hands on with replicas of the different types of weapons that would’ve been used by Harold and William’s soldiers during the Battle of Hastings. They were split into two groups to see roughly how the armies would be organised to protect their leaders in battle. Students were given different roles within the armies, with each explained and given the necessary equipment to go into battle. This workshop built on their previous knowledge of the Battle of Hastings, and why Harold Godwinson’s army was defeated.

The Domesday Book:

Students were given an extract from the Domesday Book showing the changes that happened to Norwich under William’s rule. Students worked in groups to extract information about the impact that the Norman Conquest had on Norwich and East Anglia, and what this would mean for the people. As part of this activity, students also had the opportunity to learn how to write with a quill – they were very successful! Students were able to learn about the importance of money and tax to the Normans and how this was crucial to them being able to maintain control over the people.

The Feudal System:

After a lunch break and a look around some of the different galleries in the main atrium, we moved onto our afternoon activities. We began by making links to previous learning of different groups that migrated to Britain pre-1066, and why so many groups found Britain to be a good place to invade. Students looked at different artefacts in some of the galleries to learn about why the Normans might have wanted to invade Britain, as well as what the artefacts could tell us about different people in society at the time. We then learnt about how society was ordered under the Normans and how William’s new Feudal System meant that the country would be easier to control than it would have been if he kept the old Anglo-Saxon system. This built on what students already had learnt but also gave them some insight into their next topic of Medieval Life.

Castles:

Our final session of the day told us all about the importance of castles to help the Normans keep control of the country. We went up to the castle keep to watch a light show, before exploring the Great Hall and King’s Chamber to see how castles were used as defensive structures in Norman England. Students picked out different parts of the castle that could’ve been intentionally built to defend, and to show the wealth of the king.

Throughout the day, students were actively engaged in the activities and made use of their free time at lunch and before heading back to the coach to look around the different galleries that were open (and, of course, make use of the gift shop!).