Medieval England: The Unmaking of the Feudal System

This is a fully resourced KS3 unit of work which explores the injustices of the feudal system and how and why it began to be challenged in the late medieval period. It firstly explores the difficult lives lived by peasants. before examining how the Black Death acted as a catalyst for the feudal system being challenged through the Peasants’ Revolt. It also explores how the feudal system was challenged by Magna Carta - beginning - albeit in a very limited fashion - the shift of power from King to Parliament. Through a range of imaginative and varied activities, the unit looks not only to bring this period to life but also to develop students’ explanation skills. The unit includes lots of opportunities to develop these skills, particularly through two explanation based formative assessments.

These lessons will be easily scaffolded and differentiated.

In total this should work out as a term’s lessons if KS3 classes are seen once a week.

This unit can be used after a second unit - the Making of the Feudal System - which explores the Norman invasion and their consolidation of power.

A zip folder is included to demonstrate the order of the lessons.

This unit is part of a bigger KS3 scheme of work which looks to measure the nature of change on a spectrum of change. Due to this, I have also included a lesson on the nature of change to allow students to get the most out of the lessons.