Dissolution of the Monasteries Source Analysis

This source evaluation lesson on the Dissolution of the Monasteries has been field tested and refined over many years. It focuses on whether the monks were breaking the monastic rules of St Benedict and their NOP (Origin, Nature & Purpose) source evaluation skills.

Students are presented with twelve primary sources over two rounds. In the first round, they are given six sources taken from Cromwell’s inspectors’ reports, whilst in the second round they are given six extracts taken from more impartial sources. By the end of the lesson, students will have a better understanding of NOP source analysis skills and will be able to make a balanced judgement on the reliability of the inspectors’ reports and why Henry VIII wanted to close the monasteries.

When you purchase this resource, you will be able to download a 15 slide PowerPoint Presentation which includes aims, objectives, starters, plenaries, tasks, activities, video links, writing frames, sentence starters, information slides as well as historical sources on the Dissolution of the Monasteries. You will also be able to download a two page Word Document, which includes instructions, activities, questions and twelve historical sources.

Depending upon the ability of your students, you can spend between one and two lessons on this topic. I have included guidance notes in the slide notes at the bottom of the PowerPoint. If you are only have one lesson for this topic you could focus on round one and set the second round for homework.

The aims and objectives for this lesson are:

Theme: The Reformation

• Know: Why the monasteries were dissolved by Henry VIII?
• Understand: How the inspectors’ reports were used to justify closing them down?
• Evaluate: A range of sources and critically evaluate their usefulness?
• Skills: Source Analysis& Cause, Consequence

WILF – What Am I Looking For?

• Can You Identify: Why the monasteries were dissolved?
• Can You Explain: How useful a source is for learning why the monasteries were closed?
• Can You Apply: Your knowledge and use it to critically analyse source information and evaluate how reliable it is?

If you like this resource then why not check out my other resources on this topic in my TES shop. You can also follow ‘The History Academy’ on Twitter, Google Plus, YouTube and Facebook for the latest updates or even to get in touch and chat about how you have used this resource or to ask questions. We aim to produce cheap and affordable resources for the price of a good cup of coffee so that you can spend more time doing the things that you want. All our authors are paid the living wage so when your purchase our resources you are also buying into our values.

Anyway, have fun and stay in touch via social media for the latest updates.

Kind Regards

Roy