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Year 6 - History

Changing rulers in the 11th century

The Vikings: how did Viking settlement change Britain?

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils learn about how Viking settlement and the Anglo-Saxon response to it led to the making of England. They learn about the roles of Aethelflaed, Aethelred, Edward, and Athelstan and also examine how Aethelflaed's story has only recently received more scholarly attention.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain how England came to be ruled by Vikings as well as Anglo-Saxons in the 11th century.

Key Notes

  • Athelstan's reign did not see the end of the Vikings in England, with continued raids and uprisings in Northumbria.
  • In 1013, Sweyn Forkbeard captured the whole of England before dying.
  • This left his son Canute to successfully contest the throne of England with an Anglo-Saxon, Edmund Ironside.
  • Canute became King of England, Norway and Denmark, creating a huge North Sea empire which English trade benefited from.
  • His son Harthacnut succeeded him in 1035 and ruled for seven years until an Anglo-Saxon, Edward, took the throne.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • reign: to reign means to rule as a monarch and be the King or Queen
  • tribute: tribute was payment made often by one ruler to another
  • contest: to contest something, you fight for a position of power

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils may think Ethelred's reign was completely unsuccessful.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.

Athelstan's reign did not see the end of the Vikings in England, with continued raids and uprisings in Northumbria. In 1013, Sweyn Forkbeard captured the whole of England before dying.

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

to reign means to rule as a monarch and be the King or Queen.

3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.

Mistake: Pupils may think Ethelred's reign was completely unsuccessful. Correction: Although Ethelred made some poor decisions during his reign, evidence from his charters and coins suggest that Ethelred's government was more effective than was once believed.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 6 History guide library.