United Kingdom · National Curriculum Attainment Targets
Year 5 History
Key Stage 2 History Year 5: a comprehensive study of the Anglo-Saxon and Viking struggle for England, the unification of the kingdom, and the impact of these settlements on British culture and identity.
01The End of Roman Britain and the Anglo-Saxon Arrival
Investigating the transition from Roman rule to the arrival of Germanic tribes and the formation of early kingdoms.
Exploring why the Roman legions left Britain in AD 410 and the immediate impact on the British people.
Students will examine the immediate aftermath of Roman withdrawal, considering the challenges and potential for new leadership.
Examining the arrival of the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes and their motivations for crossing the North Sea.
Students will investigate the daily lives, homes, and agricultural practices of the early Anglo-Saxon settlers.
Mapping the emergence of the seven major Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and their shifting boundaries.
Analysing the 1939 discovery of the ship burial and what it reveals about early Anglo-Saxon royalty.
Debating the historical reality versus the myth of the British leader who resisted the Saxon advance.
02Anglo-Saxon Society and Religion
A study of daily life, social structures, and the significant religious shift from Paganism to Christianity.
Understanding the different classes of people in Anglo-Saxon society, including Thanes, Ceorls, and Thralls.
Students will explore the polytheistic religion of the early Anglo-Saxons, including their gods, rituals, and beliefs about the afterlife.
Exploring the mission of St. Augustine and the influence of Irish monks like St. Aidan in spreading Christianity.
Investigating the role of monasteries in preserving knowledge, creating art, and spreading Christianity.
Examining the beauty and significance of illuminated manuscripts produced in Northumbrian monasteries.
Learning about the 'Wergild' system and the use of trials by ordeal to settle disputes.
Studying the great epic poem and how stories were told by 'scops' in the mead halls.
03The Viking Age Begins
The arrival of the Northmen, their raiding tactics, and the eventual transition to settlement.
Analysing the shocking attack in AD 793 and its impact on Christian Europe.
Investigating the technology that allowed Vikings to travel across oceans and up shallow rivers.
Students will explore Viking raiding tactics, weaponry, and the impact of their attacks on coastal communities.
Exploring the gods, giants, and beliefs of the Viking world, from Odin to Thor.
Students will learn about the geography, climate, and daily life in the Viking homelands before their expansion.
The shift from small raids to a full-scale invasion of England by a massive Viking force.
04The Resistance: Alfred and the Danelaw
How Wessex survived the Viking onslaught and the division of England through the Danelaw.
The story of King Alfred's retreat to Athelney and his preparation for a counter-attack.
Analysing the decisive victory over Guthrum and the creation of the Danelaw.
Exploring Alfred's innovative network of fortified towns designed to defend against future raids.
Looking at Alfred's efforts to promote literacy and translate Latin texts into Old English.
Following the campaigns of Alfred's grandson to unite the kingdoms into a single nation.
Exploring how Viking laws, customs, and social structures influenced daily life in the areas they controlled.
05Viking York and the Danelaw Culture
Investigating life in the Viking-controlled areas of England and their lasting impact on language and place names.
Using archaeological evidence from Coppergate to reconstruct life in Viking York.
Discovering how the Vikings linked Britain to trade routes reaching as far as Byzantium and the Silk Road.
Identifying how Viking settlement changed the English language and the names of our towns.
Investigating one of the largest Viking silver treasures ever found and what it tells us about their wealth.
Students will examine the unique artistic styles of the Vikings, including their metalwork, carvings, and jewellery.
06The Final Struggle and the End of an Era
The return of the Viking threat, the reign of Cnut, and the events leading to the Norman Conquest.
Examining the policy of paying 'protection money' to stop Viking attacks.
Studying the reign of the Danish king who ruled a North Sea Empire including England, Norway, and Denmark.
The pious king whose lack of an heir set the stage for the most famous year in English history.
Students will examine the rise of Harold Godwinson and his claim to the English throne.
Investigating William of Normandy's background, his relationship with Edward the Confessor, and the basis of his claim to the English throne.
Exploring the third contender for the throne, the Norwegian King Harald Hardrada, and his invasion of England.
A detailed look at the tactics, key figures, and turning points of the Battle of Hastings.
Students will analyze the Bayeux Tapestry as a historical document, considering its perspective and reliability.
Reflecting on how these two groups shaped the England we know today.