1. Norman exam technique
Identify types of questions on Section B of Paper 2.
Evaluate the requirements of the mark scheme.
Analyse model answers and identify good exam technique and structure.

2. What will paper 2 look like?
Paper 2 – 50% of GCSE, 84 marks
1 hour 45 minutes
Section A – Britain, health and the people (44 marks, 50 minutes)
Section B – The Normans 1066 – 1100 (40 marks, 50 minutes)
Section B has four questions:
5: How convincing is interpretation A about (something linked to the Normans)? 8 marks, 10 minutes
You will be given one written or picture source. You will need to analyse it and make a judgement about how convincing it is (is it accurate?) using your own knowledge.
6: Explain what was important about (something linked to the Normans)? 8 marks, 10 minutes
Knowledge of an event, person or change. You will evaluate causation, change /continuity or consequence of something.
7: Write an account of (something linked to the Normans). 8 marks, 10 minutes
You will need to write an account of an event, person or change and evaluate causation, change /continuity or the consequences of something.
8: An essay question linked to Durham Cathedral. 16 marks, 20 minutes

3. 5 – How convincing is interpretation A about …(something linked to the Normans)? 8 marks, 10 minutes
You are being asked to analyse an interpretation and make a judgement about how accurate it is using your own knowledge. Mark scheme: Level 4: Complex evaluation of interpretation with sustained judgement made using detailed and accurate own knowledge. You will comment on at least two parts of the source and reach a judgement about how convincing the interpretation is. 7 – 8 marks Level 3: Developed evaluation of interpretation based on own knowledge/understanding. You will comment on more than one part of the source. 5 – 6 marks Level 2: Simple evaluation of interpretation based on own knowledge/understanding. You comment on one part of the source. 3 – 4 marks Level 1: Basic analysis of interpretation based on own knowledge/understanding. 1 – 2 marks
Top tips:
10 minutes
2 paragraphs
Judgement – how convincing is the interpretation?
P1: What is convincing? What supports your own knowledge, give examples.
P2: What isn’t convincing? What has been left out from your own knowledge, give examples. Then have a couple of sentences making a judgement about how convincing the source is.

4. How convincing is Interpretation A about the way in which William dealt with rebellions? Explain your answer using Interpretation A and your contextual knowledge. 8 marks
Interpretation A
William put the rebellions down with great brutality; any pretence he had to being the legitimate heir of Edward the Confessor ended during this period. To underpin his occupation he built hundreds of castles across the kingdom, garrisoned by army mounted troops.
Adapted from a history textbook by Toby Purser, 2004; Purser is a specialist in Norman history and his book focuses on how Anglo-Saxon England was transformed into Anglo-Norman England.
You need to think about the methods shown in Interpretation A and examples of when William used these methods. You also need to think about other ways in which rebellions were dealt with, and give examples.

5. So how convincing is this interpretation?
Interpretation A
William put the rebellions down with great brutality; any pretence he had to being the legitimate heir of Edward the Confessor ended during this period. To underpin his occupation he built hundreds of castles across the kingdom, garrisoned by army mounted troops.
Step 1: What does the interpretation tell you about the ways William dealt with rebellions? Does this support your own knowledge of any events?
Step 2: What is left out or not mentioned in the interpretation? Are there other ways in which William dealt with rebellions? Give examples linked to your own knowledge.
Step 3: Make a judgement; how convincing is this interpretation?

6. In some ways Interpretation A is a convincing interpretation of the ways in which William dealt with rebellions. For example, the interpretation suggests that William was very brutal in his methods and from my own knowledge I know that on many occasions William used terror to control people. In 1070 when Danish Vikings and an English army led by English Earls joined forces to take control of York William responded violently by carrying out an event known as the Harrying of the North. William burnt houses, food stocks and cattle all across Yorkshire killing an estimated 100,000 people. As a result 80% of Yorkshire became waste land that couldn’t be lived on for many years. William also dealt very harshly even with his own Norman Earls. In 1075 when Roger, Earl of Hereford, plotted with two others to revolt against William they were punished by being blinded and then murdered. Interpretation A is also convincing because it explains another way William dealt with rebellions which was through the building of castles. Castles were a key way to establish control as Norman Earls and soldiers could be stationed there. By 1086 William had built 48 large castles across England and for English people these castles were a symbol of terror and oppression.
In other ways however Interpretation A isn’t convincing, this is because it doesn’t explain the other ways William dealt with rebellions which was through the use of patronage. In order to secure support from powerful English Lords, William promised that they could keep their land and their titles. Some were even allowed to buy more land from William. Those who still did not support William had their titles and land taken from them and given to Normans. This was an important way William dealt with rebellions as it enabled him to set up a loyal network of English and Norman Earls across the country. Overall I believe that although Interpretation A doesn’t explain all of the methods used by William to deal with rebellions it is convincing as terror was the main method used from 1066 to ensure the surrender of ordinary English people. This tactic also ensured the surrender of English Earls whose loyalty he could then buy through land and titles.

7. 6 – Explain what was important about … (something linked to the Normans). 8 marks, 10 minutes.
This question could ask you about;
A change
The causes or consequences of an event
The importance of some key features of the Norman period
Mark Scheme
Level 4: Complex explanation of consequences/change/causes/significance. Answer demonstrates a range of accurate and detailed knowledge and understanding that is relevant to the question. You explain more than two consequences/changes/causes and put them into the context of the wider period to explain them. 7 – 8 marks
Level 3: Developed explanation of consequences Answer demonstrates a range of accurate knowledge and understanding that is relevant to the question. You consider at least two consequences/changes/causes. 5 – 6 marks
Level 2: Simple explanation of one consequence/change/cause. Answer demonstrates specific knowledge and understanding that is relevant to the question. 3 – 4 marks
Level 1: Basic explanation of consequence/change/cause Answer demonstrates basic knowledge and understanding that is relevant to the question. 1 – 2 marks

8. How could we improve this answer?
6 - Explain what was important about Edward the Confessor’s lack of an heir in marks
Can you think of three consequences of this? What happened when Edward died without a clear heir to the throne of England?
The fact that Edward the Confessor did not have any children meant that there was a succession crisis in Several men felt that they had a legitimate claim to the throne. Even if their claim was not that convincing, becoming king of England was a role allowing the opportunity for great power and wealth. There was no system in place to name the next king so the lack of an heir meant that conflict was likely.
Another issue was the fact that Edward had promised the throne to two people, if he had an heir there would have been no uncertainty. This led to conflict between William and Harold Godwinson.
It was also due to this confusion about who should be the next King that led to Harold Hardrada deciding that he had an opportunity to take the throne. Therefore the lack of a clear heir led to the invasions of 1066.
How could we improve this answer?
Top tips
10 minutes
3 paragraphs explaining 3 causes, changes, consequences of something
Try to link your examples to the wider Norman period.

9. 7 – Write an account of … (something linked to the Normans) 8 marks, 10 minutes
This question is asking you to write a narrative account of a change/development/event from the Norman period.
Mark Scheme
Level 4: Complex analysis of change/development/event. Answer is presented in a coherent narrative that uses a range of accurate and detailed knowledge and understanding that is relevant to the question. Extends a level 3 answer by explaining impact/changes in broader context of Norman period. 7 – 8 marks
Level 3: Developed analysis of change/development/event. Answer is presented in a structured and well-ordered narrative that uses a range of accurate knowledge and understanding that is relevant to the question. You explain one consequence/impact in detail. 5 – 6 marks
Level 2: Simple analysis of change/development/event. Answer is presented in a structured account that demonstrates specific knowledge and understanding that is relevant to the question. 3 – 4 marks
Level 1: Basic analysis of change/development/event. Answer is presented in a straightforward account that demonstrates basic knowledge and understanding that is relevant to the question. 1 – 2 marks

10. Write an account of why William won the Battle of Hastings in 1066?
There is more to this than simply ‘telling a story’. You have to link each part of your account to the point of the question: why William won. What could you include? Why did William win the Battle of Hastings?
Top tips
10 minutes
3 paragraphs explaining 3 things linked to the question – causes, changes, consequences etc.
Try to link your examples.
Preparations – differences in the way William and Harold prepared their armies and why this was important in William winning the Battle of Hastings.
Events of the battle: stalemate, feigned retreat and the death of Harold. Then link back to the question, why was this important in William winning the Battle of Hastings?
How Hardrada’s invasion affected Harold’s plans and readiness. Why was this important in William winning the Battle of Hastings?

11. There are many reasons why William won the Battle of Hastings in 1066
There are many reasons why William won the Battle of Hastings in Firstly it was due to the standard of William’s army compared to Godwinson’s. Although the armies of both men were similar in size, around 7000 soldiers, William’s army were more well trained and professional than Godwinson’s army which was mainly made up of the Fyrd, untrained ordinary men. This meant that William’s troops were more disciplined and flexible during the battle and could respond to changes in tactics. Another reason why William won the Battle of Hastings was due to the impact of the Battle of Stamford Bridge on Godwinson’s army. Godwinson heard of Hardrada’s invasion in the North and immediately marched his men North, covering 200 miles in a week. Godwinson’s men fought well and Hardrada was defeated. It was whilst in the North that Godwinson learned of William’s invasion in the South meaning that Godwinson had to march his troops quickly down South again to defeat the Norman threat. As a result of this Godwinson’s troops were exhausted meaning they were less effective in battle against William’s troops who were fresh and rested. A final key reason why William won the Battle of Hastings was because of his use of superior tactics during the battle. Although Godwinson had the tactical advantage of being at the top of the hill, William used feigned retreat to trick Godwinson’s soldiers into breaking their shield wall. Once this was broken William was able to defeat the English, killing Godwinson and winning the Battle of Hastings. Overall it was combination of skill, tactics and luck that led to William’s victory – an exhausted English army easily fell for William’s reigned retreat.

12. Come up with three top tips for the Norman exam.