Year 6 - History
York's importance to the Vikings
The Vikings: how do we know so much about Viking York?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils learn about the archaeological discoveries made at Coppergate in York. They find out how archaeologists and historians have used artefacts to build a picture of what Viking York would have been like.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain why York was important to the Vikings.
Key Notes
- York, a major settlement in the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria, was captured by the Vikings in 866 CE.
- It was an important strategic location between the Ouse and Foss rivers, making it easy to defend and good for trade.
- The Vikings restored the old Roman walls and it quickly became the main Viking city in Britain.
- The Vikings called it Jorvik, which was also the name they used for their kingdom in Britain.
Vocabulary To Learn
- strategic: if something is strategic it is important for success in war or defence
- invasion: invasion means to enter a country armed and capture it
- Jorvik: the Vikings renamed York when they captured it to Jorvik
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may think York was only strategically important because the rivers acted as a natural defence.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
York, a major settlement in the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria, was captured by the Vikings in 866 CE. It was an important strategic location between the Ouse and Foss rivers, making it easy to defend and good for trade.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'strategic'
if something is strategic it is important for success in war or defence.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: Pupils may think York was only strategically important because the rivers acted as a natural defence. Correction: York was strategically important because the rivers were a natural defence, but they were also key routes for trade.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 6 History guide library.