Year 2 - History
The half-sisters Elizabeth and Mary
Ruling and religion
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
Stories about significant rulers from the past give students an understanding of key ideas related to early rulers, such as struggles for power and religious influence. They learn about specific rulers from different times and places, helping students build a chronological framework.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe the relationship between Elizabeth and her half-sister Mary.
Key Notes
- At the age of 21, a young woman called Elizabeth found herself imprisoned in the Tower of London.
- She had been accused of plotting to take the throne by her older half-sister Mary, who was queen.
- It was very likely that Mary might order her to be executed, so Elizabeth wrote her a letter saying she was innocent.
- Although Mary refused to see Elizabeth, she eventually freed her and Elizabeth's life was spared.
- Soon after, Mary died and Elizabeth became Queen of England.
Vocabulary To Learn
- executed: executed means someone being killed as a legal punishment
- plotting: plotting means to secretly make plans to carry out an illegal or harmful action
- Tower of London: the Tower of London is a building used to defend the King or Queen
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may think Elizabeth had a right to the throne when her father Henry VIII died.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
At the age of 21, a young woman called Elizabeth found herself imprisoned in the Tower of London. She had been accused of plotting to take the throne by her older half-sister Mary, who was queen.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'executed'
executed means someone being killed as a legal punishment.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: Pupils may think Elizabeth had a right to the throne when her father Henry VIII died. Correction: At this time, the heir to the throne was the first-born son of the King rather than the first-born child.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Eleanor and the Second Crusade Study Guide
- Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine Study Guide
- Eleanor, Queen of England Study Guide
- Elizabeth I - the queen who did not marry Study Guide
- Mansa Musa and the Hajj Study Guide
- Mansa Musa and Timbuktu Study Guide
- Mansa Musa of Mali Study Guide
- Nūr Jahān, wielder of the imperial seal Study Guide
- Nūr Jahān's journey to becoming Emperor Jahāngīr's wife Study Guide
- Queen Elizabeth and the Spanish Armada Study Guide
- The birth of Nūr Jahān, 'sun among women' Study Guide
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