Year 7 - History
Matilda and the succession crisis
Medieval women: what can we learn from Matilda about women in medieval England?
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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 analyse the historical significance of Empress Matilda's life. They use her life as a lens to consider the lives of noble women in medieval England.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe the nature of Matilda's claim to the English throne.
Key Notes
- Henry I had a male heir, William Adelin.
- William Adelin died on the White Ship in 1120.
- The death of William Adelin prompted a succession crisis in England.
- The English barons swore to recognise Matilda as the heir.
- Stephen of Blois took the crown following Henry I's death.
Vocabulary To Learn
- legitimate: legitimate means to be born of parents legally married to each other
- heir: an heir is a person legally entitled to the property or rank of another person upon that person's death
- baron: a baron is a great lord or landholder in a kingdom
- succession crisis: a succession crisis is a situation in which there is no clear heir to a position
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Women were forbidden from ruling in their own right in England during the medieval period.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
Henry I had a male heir, William Adelin. William Adelin died on the White Ship in 1120.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'legitimate'
legitimate means to be born of parents legally married to each other.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: Women were forbidden from ruling in their own right in England during the medieval period. Correction: The first time the concept of a woman ruling in her own right in England occurred it took everyone by surprise. No one had considered that a woman might rule alone, so there was no law preventing it from happening.
More Lessons In This Unit
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