History and social studies
Picture dictionary and vocabulary reference
Learn ten key words for medieval England, from monarch and feudal system to Domesday Book and Magna Carta. A second page introduces six words historians use, then asks pupils to match meanings and write a short explanation using three terms.
Connect a history word to its picture and meaning. Read each definition before using it in a sentence.
Read the complete materialRead the material
Learn ten key words for medieval England, from monarch and feudal system to Domesday Book and Magna Carta. A second page introduces six words historians use, then asks pupils to match meanings and write a short explanation using three terms.
Activity. Use the preview for diagrams and layout.
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NAME CLASS DATE LEARNING GOAL Know and use the key words for medieval England. SUCCESS CRITERIA I can explain what each key word means. I can use key words in sentences and a paragraph. Read each meaning and example. Then cover the meanings and test yourself. No. 1 monarch A king or queen. The monarch ruled the whole kingdom. No. 2 Norman Conquest William, Duke of Normandy, defeated King Harold at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and became king. The Norman Conquest changed England. No. 3 feudal system Land given in return for loyalty and service, from king to barons to knights to peasants. The feudal system tied land to loyalty. No. 4 baron A powerful noble who held land from the king. Each baron promised loyalty to the king. No. 5 knight A mounted soldier who served a lord. The knight served his lord in battle. No. 6 peasant A poor farm worker. A peasant spent long days in the fields. No. 7 castle A fortified home and stronghold. The Normans built castles to keep control. No. 8 Domesday Book A survey of land and property in England, ordered by William I in 1086. The Domesday Book is useful evidence. No. 9 Magna Carta A charter King John agreed to in 1215 that limited the king's power. Magna Carta is a significant document. No. 10 Black Death A deadly plague that reached England in 1348. The Black Death had a huge impact. Picture dictionary and vocabulary reference H I S TO R Y AG E S 1 1 TO 1 4 VO C A B U L A R Y Medieval England Medieval England A picture dictionary of key words for history. 1 The object gallery: ten key words Gallery 1 2 Words 3 Teacher 1 Objects Page 1 of 2
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A cause A reason why something happens. Starter: One cause of ... was ... D evidence Information that supports a claim. Starter: This evidence suggests that ... B consequence A result of an event. Starter: As a consequence, ... E impact The effect something has. Starter: The impact of ... was ... C significant Important, with lasting effects. Starter: This was significant because ... F control Power over people, land or events. Starter: ... kept control by ... Read meanings A to F. Write the letter of the correct meaning in the box beside each word. 1 baron 2 peasant 3 Domesday Book 4 Magna Carta 5 evidence 6 consequence A a charter that limited the king's power B a poor farm worker C a result of an event D a powerful noble who held land from the king E information that supports a claim F a survey of land and property ordered by William I Answer one question in five to seven sentences: either How did William keep control of England after 1066? or Why was the Norman Conquest significant? Use at least three words from this sheet and underline them. Picture dictionary and vocabulary reference H I S TO R Y M E D I E VA L E N G L A N D U S I N G T H E WO R D S Words historians use Words historians use 2 Six words for any history topic Archive 3 Match each word to its meaning Gallery 2 6 marks 4 Use three words in a paragraph Studio 6 marks 1 Objects 3 Teacher 2 Words Page 2 of 2
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Picture dictionary and vocabulary reference Teacher companion History | Pupils aged 11 to 14 Use with the exact 2-page original file. Keep pupil or staff activity pages separate from this teacher companion. When to use it Use this alongside teaching about England after the Norman Conquest, or as a vocabulary review before a short historical explanation. Pupils first revisit the ten topic words, then apply selected terms in a matching task and a five-to-seven-sentence paragraph before writing. Purpose Explain selected medieval England vocabulary, match historical terms with their meanings and use at least three terms in a short evidence-focused paragraph. Start here Read two or three entries on page 1 and cover the meanings for a quick retrieval check. Clarify that the second page's cause, consequence, evidence, impact, significant and control terms can apply across history topics. A teaching sequence 1. Use the picture dictionary to explain a selected topic word and connect it to the printed example sentence. 2. Cover the definitions and ask pupils to recall the meaning of a term such as baron or Domesday Book. 3. Complete the six-word matching task, using the definitions on page 2 to justify each letter choice. 4. Choose one paragraph question and write five to seven sentences using at least three terms, underlining each as requested. Ask for one quotation or clue to support the meaning. Checking guidance The six matching answers on page 2 are: 1 baron D; 2 peasant B; 3 Domesday Book F; 4 Magna Carta A; 5 evidence E; 6 consequence C. For the paragraph, look for at least three relevant terms used accurately and connected to an explanation. A list of definitions alone does not answer how control was maintained or why an event mattered. Use the concise definitions as starting points and the class’s historical sources for a fuller account. Accept different evidence-supported explanations rather than a single model paragraph. Support Provide a choice of three words and sentence starters from page 2. Let pupils explain a definition orally before writing and use the example sentences as a model without copying them as historical evidence. Take it further Ask pupils to compare how two terms help explain power or change after 1066. They can add a relevant source or class note to support the paragraph, then distinguish the sheet's definition from evidence they have independently checked. Things to keep in mind Definitions are concise summaries and should be checked against lesson sources. The activity does not provide a full chronology or answer key. Treat historical terms as tools for explanation, not substitutes for source evidence; check unfamiliar claims against a suitable historical source. Picture dictionary and vocabulary reference Teacher companion | Page 1
A teaching sequence
Explain selected medieval England vocabulary, match historical terms with their meanings and use at least three terms in a short evidence-focused paragraph.
Connect a history word to its picture and meaning. Read each definition before using it in a sentence.
Read the complete materialExplain a topic word in context
Use the picture dictionary to explain a selected topic word and connect it to the printed example sentence.
How does the printed example use this word's meaning?
Recall a covered definition
Cover the definitions and ask pupils to recall the meaning of a term such as baron or Domesday Book.
Which part of the meaning needs another look at the glossary?
Match six words with definitions
Complete the six-word matching task, using the definitions on page 2 to justify each letter choice.
Which definition justifies your letter choice?
Write with three historical terms
Choose one paragraph question and write five to seven sentences using at least three terms, underlining each as requested. Ask for one quotation or clue to support the meaning.
Which lesson evidence supports your paragraph, beyond this glossary summary?
Before you teach
Look for the thinking behind an answer, choose the support your class needs and leave room for an independent response.
What to look for
The six matching answers on page 2 are: 1 baron D; 2 peasant B; 3 Domesday Book F; 4 Magna Carta A; 5 evidence E; 6 consequence C. For the paragraph, look for at least three relevant terms used accurately and connected to an explanation. A list of definitions alone does not answer how control was maintained or why an event mattered. Use the concise definitions as starting points and the class’s historical sources for a fuller account. Accept different evidence-supported explanations rather than a single model paragraph.
Give a little support
Provide a choice of three words and sentence starters from page 2. Let pupils explain a definition orally before writing and use the example sentences as a model without copying them as historical evidence.
Take the idea further
Ask pupils to compare how two terms help explain power or change after 1066. They can add a relevant source or class note to support the paragraph, then distinguish the sheet's definition from evidence they have independently checked.
Things to keep in mind
Definitions are concise summaries and should be checked against lesson sources. Use the separate teacher companion for the six definition matches; the two paragraph questions require teacher judgement and evidence. The activity does not provide a full chronology.
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Ideas to try with your class
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Meet The Creators
Meet the creators whose teaching interests connect with this template. Find an approach to try with your class.
Holly Rimmer
I support bilingual and EAL learners with task breakdowns and check-ins, working with teachers to clarify directions and vocabulary while keeping the subject’s language demand visible.
Meet the creator
Joseph Turing
I want scaffolds that help pupils access a source at different reading levels while keeping the question and historical method intact.
Meet the creator
Kind Check-In
This two-page medieval England reference gives a learning goal, definitions and examples, then asks pupils to retrieve meanings and use at least three terms in a short paragraph. The monarch and Norman Conquest entries ground the vocabulary in the stated historical topic.
Chalk & Chai
Covering the medieval England definitions turns the monarch, Norman Conquest and feudal-system entries into a retrieval task. The final paragraph asks pupils to use at least three terms in a connected explanation, not leave them as isolated matches.
Glue Stick Club
Read one entry, cover its meaning and ask the learner to explain it in their own words before writing. Keep the printed example available initially, then remove it for the retrieval check.
Reread Reminder
This is a selected medieval England word set, not a comprehensive or current history reference. Check the historical phrasing against the lesson sources and distinguish remembering a definition from using evidence in an account.