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Year 10 - History

The Anglo-Saxon Church

British Depth Study: Norman England, c1066–c1100

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils study an aspect of British medieval history in depth. They learn about the social, economic, religious and political events that influenced the lives of those who lived in this period.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain the state of the Anglo-Saxon Church.

Key Notes

  • The Church was organised into a hierarchy which included archbishops, bishops and priests.
  • The Church was a powerful institution with influence in the government of England.
  • The Anglo-Saxon Church observed local religious beliefs and practices, language and saints.
  • The Normans criticised the Anglo-Saxon Church for lax discipline and corruption.
  • There are reasons to be skeptical of Norman criticisms as they were used to justify the invasion of England.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • hierarchy: a system in which people are put at various levels or ranks according to their importance
  • dioceses: an area controlled by a bishop
  • saint: a title given to a person who has received an official honour from the Pope for having lived in a good and holy way
  • pilgrims: a person who makes a journey, often a long and difficult one, to a special place for religious reasons
  • relics: something that belonged to a holy person, often a body part, that was believed to be able to help people if prayed to or touched

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • The power of the Church in the medieval and modern period is equivalent.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.

The Church was organised into a hierarchy which included archbishops, bishops and priests. The Church was a powerful institution with influence in the government of England.

2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'hierarchy'

a system in which people are put at various levels or ranks according to their importance.

3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.

Mistake: The power of the Church in the medieval and modern period is equivalent. Correction: The medieval Church was a very powerful institution, it was involved in governing Anglo-Saxon England (as bishops served as advisors to kings) and it was a very wealthy landholder. The modern-day Church in England has less powers.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 10 History guide library.