Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight Introduction | A Court for King Cholera |
Anti-Catholic propaganda at the Time of the Reformation | Lesson Plan: Medieval Village Life – Year 7 | Guidance on use of Charles I picture for Activity 8.1 | Guidance for the completion of stepped worksheets | Differentiated worksheets | Changing attitudes to World War I | What can I learn from a source? | Mystery Approach: Thomas Beckets | Addressing literacy levels
| Bibliography

Mystery Approach: Thomas Becket

Pupils are given a pack of clues, and told to use them to work out how Thomas died. They must not have any prior knowledge about Thomas Becket. They can be advised to select the most useful clues and dismiss those which are not helpful.

Photocopy clues below onto card, and guillotine to make a pack for each group.

Differentiate by printing first 10 clues only for less able. Add picture source into both packs.

• He enjoyed hunting with King Henry II.
• Henry wanted to control the church courts.
• A blind woman was able to see when she held a rag soaked in the blood against her eyes. The blood was mixed with water and sold to pilgrims. Many people were healed after drinking it.
• Excommunication meant you had no hope of going to heaven.
• He was called a ‘traitor’.
• They began to argue over a murder.
• He fled to France, and returned 6 years later
• The shirt was made from hair. It was crawling with lice and worms.
• He was very tall.
• Thomas excommunicated (banned from the church) the bishops (church leaders) who had helped Henry.
• They said it was judgement from God when Henry’s sons turned against him and the King of Scotland declared war on him.
• Thomas liked to wash in scented water.
• Thomas’ parents were settlers from Normandy.
• Thomas led 700 knights into battle against the King of France.
• At school, he learned to speak, read and write in Latin.
• There had been war in England for 20 years before Henry became King. King Stephen was fighting his enemy Matilda. ‘Robber barons’ took control of large parts of the country.
• His clothes were made of fur and silk. He entertained friends every day, and bought them expensive gifts.
• The cathedral was lit by candles.
• Henry cried out, ‘What cowards do I have in my court, that not one will free me of this low-born priest?’
• Thomas ordered them to unlock the door, saying that a church is not a castle.
• Thomas helped the poor, and washed their feet.