Year 7 - History
Matilda's battles
Medieval women: what can we learn from Matilda about women in medieval England?
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Study Guides
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 explain how Matilda's actions affected the battles fought during the Anarchy.
Key Notes
- Matilda established her court in Gloucester.
- Matilda defeated Stephen at the Battle of Lincoln.
- The citizens of London forced Matilda and her followers to flee London.
- Matilda was defeated by Stephen at the Siege of Oxford.
- Matilda's actions during the Anarchy gives historians an insight into medieval women.
Vocabulary To Learn
- civil war: a civil war is a war between citizens of the same country
- besieged: if somewhere is besieged it is surrounded by people trying to capture it: no goods or people are allowed in or out
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Once a king dies or is taken prisoner, that is the end of the war.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
Matilda established her court in Gloucester. Matilda defeated Stephen at the Battle of Lincoln.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'civil war'
a civil war is a war between citizens of the same country.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: Once a king dies or is taken prisoner, that is the end of the war. Correction: Although a king is very important, there are many examples throughout history of a king's followers continuing to fight on successfully after their leader has been killed or captured.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 7 History guide library.