SOW: Which medieval woman should be in a textbook? Year: 7. Concept: Significance – types of significance. Period: Medieval. Content: 3 medieval women – Margery Kempe, Eleanor of Aquitaine & Margaret of Anjou. Outcome task: To design a chapter, to go in a textbook, on the most significant medieval woman of the three (the chapter consists of a title, picture, three paragraphs and note to the publisher). Please look through slideshow to see all animations and transitions. All resources are at the end of the PowerPoint. L.O.1: To identify what Helen Castor believes is significant about Margaret of Anjou. L.O.2: To depict the most significant features of Margaret of Anjou’s life. L.O.3: To construct an explanation on a way in which Margaret of Anjou was significant, and supporting this with evidence. Lesson 4: Margaret of Anjou. Starter: Introduce Margaret of Anjou – What does Richard Plantagenet (through Shakespeare) say about Margaret of Anjou? What does this suggest she was like, or what she did? Introduce some facts about Margaret of Anjou. Link to Helen Castor (who clearly sees these actions as significant). Task: Students listen to an extract from Castor’s book and identify words or phrases that suggest why Eleanor was significant. They want to pay attention to the different criteria for significance which Castor provides. Task: Students answer questions as they listen to a 10 minute adaption of Castor’s book – the BBC series (the link for which is hyperlinked to the book Castor is holding, which will open to the right time if you click it on Slideshow – timings are also on the sheet). The link is also here: Task: Students create a storyboard, with an emphasis on them drawing the most significant bits – and annotating them where necessary – from the text below. Students may want to begin by highlighting these significant actions. This should reinforce the picture task of the outcome task. Task: Students must write a paragraph on why Margaret of Anjou was significant – but focussing in on one particular criteria of significance – and supporting this with evidence. NB: This will give students practice on how to produce a picture for their outcome task in lesson 5. Introduce Outcome Task.

EQ: Which medieval woman should be in a textbook? How are they significant?…

Now, let’s have a look at our third, and final, medieval woman…

Medieval Women Which medieval woman should be in a textbook? 1445 – Margaret d’Anjou marries Henry VI 1430s – Margery Kempe

3 Margaret of Anjou The Reign of Henry VI & Why is Margaret of Anjou significant?

This is William Shakespeare, one of the most celebrated playwrights of all time. Shakespeare liked to write plays about significant people, such as the kings of England. In fact, Shakespeare wrote a play about Henry VI during Henry’s reign. In it he gets one of his characters (Richard Plantagenet – who did not get on with Margaret of Anjou) to call her a certain name. Let’s have a look at what was said, and then try and work out what this might tell us about Margaret of Anjou’s significance. Richard Plantagenet about Margaret of Anjou: “She-wolf of France, but worse than wolves of France, Whose tongue is more poisonous than the adder’s tooth!... Women are soft, mild, pitiful, and flexible You are stern, rough and remorseless”. Why on earth is Richard calling her that… what is he saying? Are there any criteria from our list that we might say apply to her just from this text by Shakespeare?

Margaret of Anjou Who should be in a textbook? 3 She was a prominent figure during the War of the Roses (fight between two rival houses for the throne). She was a leader of a troop within the Lancastrians (House of Lancaster). She ruled over England for large periods of time due to her husband’s insanity. Does any of this make Margaret of Anjou significant? 2000 BC2015 ADJesus’ BirthMedieval Period AD

This lady clearly thinks so. This is Helen Castor, a writer of history (just like Alison Weir, who we looked at last lesson), and author of She Wolves. Let’s look at what she says about Margaret of Anjou BC2015 ADJesus’ BirthMedieval Period AD

“Margaret was a woman of will and wit – “more wittier than any king” (noted one writer). All her fierce energy was devoted to the task of providing the royal will, which her husband could not. The size of her role was evident to those who watched her at work: Camulio in 1461 states that the battle of Wakefield was simply ‘the battle which the queen of England fought against the late Duke of York’ – a remarkable description given that Margaret did not set foot on the field of war.” 2000 BC2015 ADJesus’ BirthMedieval Period AD How does Helen Castor portray Margaret as significant? Which of our criteria does she mention?

Clearly Helen Castor thinks that Margaret of Anjou is significant – but we need to look a bit further for reasons that support her claim. Fortunately, the popularity of Helen Castor’s book has led to it being turned into a BBC series – a part of which, we are going to watch now.

Listen to what Dr Castor has to say about Margaret of Anjou. Answer the questions as the video is playing.* *The timings for the answers are on your sheet BC2015 ADJesus’ BirthMedieval Period AD For this task you will need the sheet that looks like this: And a pen.

Helen Castor, She Wolves – Circle the correct answer 32:30-37:45 1) By Marrying Henry VI what did Margaret do for England and France? (Time – 33:00) Seal a treatyStart a warStart a trade agreement 2) Did Margaret believe that if a man was absent a woman could rule? (33:40) YesNo 3) According to the observer how ambitious was Margaret for power (35:45) Not at allNot ReallyVery 39:50-42:35 4) Was Margaret’s retreat to Staffordshire a sign she was prepared to fight? (41:15) YesNo 5) In your view is she significant?YesNo 6) Is she any of these?... Extraordinary / Different / Impactful / Especially big… / Makes us aware of…

Your task is to: Create a story-board detailing the MOST significant things about Margaret of Anjou. Five events or actions have been provided in writing; above the writing are the boxes for you to draw in. In the sixth (last) box, in the part where there should be some writing, you will need to explain a way in which Margaret of Anjou is significant using one our criteria words, and give a supporting reason. In the box above this, draw your supporting reason - it should quite clearly show the way in which Margaret is significant; be that ‘extraordinary’, or ‘different’, etc. To do this task well: You should plan ahead what you are going to draw by highlighting or underlining the most significant parts of the text. … As usual, your teacher has had a go to try and help you:

Margaret marries Henry VI, securing a treaty between England and France. Margaret is responsible for raising taxes and match-making amongst the aristocracy. Margaret takes control of the throne whilst Henry is ill. Margaret strongly resists the house of York, joining Lancaster to protect the throne. Margaret manages to regain the throne with the help of the Earl of Warwick. I think that she is significant because [use criteria word and explain]...

Margaret marries Henry VI, securing a treaty (an agreement) between England and France to end fighting. Margaret is responsible for raising taxes and match-making amongst the aristocracy – a role that would normally be the King’s. Margaret takes control of the throne whilst Henry is ill – he is suffering from periods of insanity. During the War of the Roses Margaret sides with the House of Lancaster AGAINST York – she is trying to protect the throne. Margaret organises men like the Earl of Warwick to fight in battles and manages to regain the throne. I think that she is significant because [use criteria word and explain]... 1.He has underlined the significant detail from the writing which he wants to include in his picture. 2.Then he has drawn the picture (remember it isn’t art).

Your task is to: Create a story-board detailing the MOST significant things about Margaret of Anjou. In the sixth (last) box, in the part where there should be some writing, you will need to explain a way in which Margaret of Anjou is significant using one our criteria words, and give (and draw) a supporting reason.

So what of our textbook then?

Whilst an interesting title and detailed picture might initially grab a reader in, it is the content after that which ultimately decides whether they will continue. Therefore, we must make sure that we give our readers a reason to believe that our medieval woman is worth reading on about.

Your task is to: Explain why Margaret of Anjou is significant using one of our criteria words to begin with. Below is an example (using Eleanor of Aquitaine as the medieval woman, so that none of your brilliant ideas are stolen prematurely). For example: ‘Eleanor of Aquitaine is significant because she makes us aware of how important some women were during the Medieval Period, through the roles that they played. Whilst we are led to believe that most women during this period did not have much power Eleanor did – so much so, that she led 1000 knights in battle, and was involved in military strategy meetings.’

‘Eleanor of Aquitaine is significant because she makes us aware of how important some women were during the Medieval Period, through the roles that they played. Whilst we are led to believe that most women during this period did not have much power Eleanor did – so much so, that she led 1000 knights in battle, and was involved in military strategy meetings.’ The reason that this is a good example is that: 1. significance is directly mentioned in the answer. 2. A criteria phrase is explicitly mentioned, so that the type of significance is defined, AND a reason for using that particular criteria phrase is also given. 3. The answer is supported with evidence. Could you now do this with Margaret of Anjou?

Let’s not forget what was significant about Margaret of Anjou… She was queen consort to Henry VI. She was a prominent figure during the War of the Roses (fight between two rival houses for the throne). She was a leader of a troop within the Lancastrians (House of Lancaster). She ruled over England for large periods of time due to her husband’s insanity. She attempted to secure the throne for her son Edward of Westminster. When Henry lost the throne in 1461 Margaret was the main force attempting to win it back… and she did. However, this lasted only a few months before she was captured BC2015 ADJesus’ BirthMedieval Period AD

Your task is to: In your books, explain why Margaret of Anjou is significant using one of our criteria words or phrases to begin with. Potential starters: 1.Margaret of Anjou was significant because… 2.The most significant thing about Margaret of Anjou was… This was particularly… 3.Margaret of Anjou was significant in a number of ways, however, it was mainly how…

So, we have now assessed the significance of our three medieval women…

So what of our textbook then?

Your outcome task, which you will do next lesson, is to create your very own chapter in a textbook, based on one of the medieval women that we have studied. To complete your chapter, so that it can be submitted to the publishers you will need: An interesting title; A detailed picture; And three paragraphs on what is significant about your chosen medieval woman.

EQ: Which medieval woman will be in your textbook?

Resources

Helen Castor, She Wolves – Circle the correct answer 32:30-37:45 1) By Marrying Henry VI what did Margaret do for England and France? (Time – 33:00) Seal a treatyStart a warStart a trade agreement 2) Did Margaret believe that if a man was absent a woman could rule? (33:40) YesNo 3) According to the observer how ambitious was Margaret for power (35:45) Not at allNot ReallyVery 39:50-42:35 4) Was Margaret’s retreat to Staffordshire a sign she was prepared to fight? (41:15) YesNo 5) In your view is she significant?YesNo 6) Is she any of these?... Extraordinary / Different / Impactful / Especially big… / Makes us aware of…

Margaret marries Henry VI, securing a treaty between England and France. Margaret is responsible for raising taxes and match-making amongst the aristocracy. Margaret takes control of the throne whilst Henry is ill. Margaret strongly resists the house of York, joining Lancaster to protect the throne. Margaret manages to regain the throne with the help of the Earl of Warwick. I think that she is significant because [use criteria word and explain]...