Activity Notes Lesson 4D V

1.5 Were England, Scotland and Wales good neighbours in the Middle Ages?

1.5b England vs Scotland

Learning objectives

§ To find out about the relationship between England and Scotland.

§ To recognise the significance of certain events for different groups of people.

Historical background

The struggle between England and Scotland at the end of the thirteenth and beginning of the fourteenth centuries was prolonged and bloody. The succession crisis caused by the deaths of Alexander II and his heir Margaret provided Edward I of England with an opportunity to gain greater control over Scottish affairs. In 1292 Edward was asked by the Scottish nobility to choose the next king of Scotland. His choice of John Balliol did not lead to a pliant Scottish king as Edward had hoped. From 1296 to his death in 1307, Edward fought a series of campaigns in Scotland, including those against the armies of the much heralded William Wallace. Edward’s successor, Edward II, was not an adept military leader. In 1314 English forces suffered a humiliating defeat at Bannockburn which ended English claims.

Teaching Activities and Learning Outcomes

Assessment opportunity

Understanding of the significance of an event or individual.

Pupils will be able to:

§ give each person a performance rating and suggest reasons for each rating

§ select the most and least significant incident and give reasons for their choices

§ produce a newspaper report including the significance of the incidents and profiles of the key players.

Starter

Pupils read the cartoon strip (page 34). Then they discuss the answer to the question: Who are the heroes on each side? They should give reasons for their choice of heroes.

Development

Green task (task 1): In pairs or groups, pupils read through the England and Scotland ‘teams’, then through each incident deciding the score of the match. At the end of this process, they should grade the players’ performances. Worksheet 1.5b supports this task.

Blue task (task 2): Completion of the exercises in task 1 prepares pupils to tackle the exercises in task 2. Pupils snowball their choices of the most significant incidents in the Anglo–Scottish struggle. Ensure pupils justify their choices.

Orange task (task 3): Pupils complete this as a written exercise. It is a good idea to consider the use of ICT. Alternatively, pupils could be set the task for homework. The aim behind the task is for pupils to use all of the information gleaned in the lesson to make a judgement.

Plenary

Back to the start: This encourages pupils to reflect on both on this lesson and Lesson 1.5a. As a class, reach a consensus on football scores for England vs Wales and England vs Scotland.

ICT opportunities

History in Progress – LiveText CD 1: Were England and Scotland good neighbours? activity

1.5 Were England, Scotland and Wales good neighbours in the Middle Ages?

Worksheet 1.5b

England vs Scotland

§ Read through each of the incidents on page 36 of the History in Progress Pupil Book 1. Using the information about the main players in Team England and Team Scotland, rate their performances on a scale of 1–10 (10 is ‘outstanding’).

§ Performance should be judged on cunning, bravery and skill as well as the ability to win. Think carefully about what you are judging for each player before you make you decision.

§ Record your ratings and judgements in the table below.

Team England

Player information / Rated on… / Score
Edward I, English king 1272–1307
A bit of a legend and a good soldier. Difficult to defend against and so tall that his nickname was ‘Longshanks’ (‘long legs’). Spent his life fighting against Scotland. On his tomb was written: Edward I – Hammer of the Scots.
The Earl of Surrey, 1231–1304
Did not play much of a part in the ongoing rivalry with the Scots. But, when he did (in 1297), he made a series of bad errors that led to English defeat.
Edward II, English king 1307–1327
Very different to his father. Was a poor soldier in both attack and defence.

Team Scotland

Player information / Rated on… / Score
John Balliol, Scottish king 1292–1296
Made some silly mistakes that allowed the English to take advantage. Was unlucky to come up against Edward I.
William Wallace, Scottish legend until his death in 1305
Quick, cunning and full of good ideas. Always did well against the English. Had many successes, but was eventually let down by his fellow Scots.
Robert the Bruce, Scottish king 1306–1329
Bit of a daydreamer, but came through on the big day. Led the Scots to a famous victory over the English at Bannockburn in 1314. From then on he was the king of Scotland until his death in 1329.