What is a monarch?

Understanding the role of a monarch and how it has changed over time as well as identifying the purpose, structure and evolution of castles.

Please note

This unit has been updated for Summer 2026. There are no changes to the Progression of knowledge, skills and key vocabulary documents. 

Lessons

Lesson 1: What is a monarch?

Lesson 2: Who is our monarch today?

Lesson 3: How did William the Conqueror become King of England?

Lesson 4: How did William the Conqueror rule?

Lesson 5: How did castles change?

Lesson 6: What was a monarch in the past?

Key skills

  • Sequencing up to six photographs, focusing on the intervals between events.
  • Knowing where people/events studied fit into a chronological framework.
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Key knowledge

  • To know that beyond living memory is more than 100 years ago.
  • To know that events in history may last different amounts of time.
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Key vocabulary

king

monarchy

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Equipment list

Equipment needed across all lessons in this unit.

This list does not include equipment which is usually readily available in the classroom (e.g pencils, A4 paper etc)

Download

Full equipment list for the subject

Quantities marked × will update. Items without quantities are unaffected

  • Lolly sticks or straws

    ×30
  • Glue sticks or sticky tape

    ×15
  • A3 paper ×15

The equipment below is optional

  • Objects to represent the role of a monarch e.g. a crown, a sword, a Bible, a book or money
  • Building bricks or recycled boxes

    ×15
  • Sticky labels Per pair: 7
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Related content

Padlock
History

Knowledge organiser – History Y2: What is a monarch?

Aimed at pupils, two pages providing key facts and definitions from the unit ‘What is a monarch?’

Padlock
History

Vocabulary display – History Y2: What is a monarch?

A display version of the key vocabulary from the 'What is a monarch?' unit.

Subject resources

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