Jump to first page Definitely...maybe… My advice on producing your new Year 7 History textbook looking at the death of Thomas Becket.

Jump to first page Sample sources for the textbook section on Becket. Written by Edward Grim, who saw Becket murdered. “The murderers came with swords and axes. They called out: “Where is Thomas Becket, traitor to the King and country? You shall die this instant,” they cried. He received a blow which separated the crown of his head, and scattered the brains and blood about the ground.”

Jump to first page My warning when using this source! n Dear Publisher, n I think you should be very careful using this image and document in your textbook. I have produced a presentation showing you why you need to be careful using these sources.

Jump to first page This source definitely tells us: That he was in the cathedral. That he was hit in the head. That he was in a position of prayer. That the knights attacked him with swords. The knights are painted inaccurately.

Jump to first page This source may be suggesting... One of the knights had an axe. There was a fifth person involved in the attack. Other monks and clerks were at the scene. This was drawn to make us feel even more sorrow for Becket rather than give an accurate account of what happened. He was kneeling at the altar. Not all the sources agree on this.

Jump to first page My warning when using this document! Written by Edward Grim, who saw Becket murdered. “The murderers came with swords and axes. They called out “Where is Thomas Becket, traitor to the King and country? You shall die this instant,” they cried. He received a blow which separated the crown of his head, and scattered the brains and blood about the ground.”

Jump to first page Good points about this source are: Written by Edward Grim, who saw Becket murdered. “The murderers came with swords and axes. They called out “Where is Thomas Becket, traitor to the King and country? You shall die this instant,” they cried. He received a blow which separated the crown of his head, and scattered the brains and blood about the ground.” 1. It was an eyewitness account. 2. It mentions some of the things the knights said. 3. It mentions some of the things Becket said. 4. It explains how Becket finally died.

Jump to first page Bad points about this source are: Written by Edward Grim, who saw Becket murdered. “The murderers came with swords and axes. They called out “Where is Thomas Becket, traitor to the King and country? You shall die this instant,” they cried. He received a blow which separated the crown of his head, and scattered the brains and blood about the ground.” 1. It is only one account. There are many others. 2. It does not fully explain what the knights did. 3. It does not fully explain how Becket reacted. 4. It does not explain any other injuries, or Grim being injured.

Jump to first page My advice to you would be: larger/smaller n Provide pupils with a larger/smaller range of pictures. larger/smaller n Provide pupils with a larger/smaller range of written sources. n Make sure the written sources are shorter/longer and less/more detailed. n Make sure the written sources provide details about who was speaking because…

Jump to first page My advice to you is also to… n Explain what DEFINITELY happened such as: n 1 n 2 n 3 n 4 n 5 n 6

Jump to first page And you should also… n Explain what POSSIBLY happened such as: n 1 n 2 n 3 n 4 n 5 n 6