WEAPONS THAT MADE BRITAIN

PROGRAMME 4: THE SHIELD

ACTIVITIES

Guidance

This programme, like the others in the series, can be watched as a stand-alone programme. However, if students have previously watched at least one of the other programmes about offensive weapons (sword, longbow or lance), this will help students to understand why the shield was such a vital piece of military equipment.

The programme also gives students a glimpse into the early medieval period by looking at an Anglo-Saxon battle and the impact of early invasions (by the Vikings).

Related websites can be found in Find out more.

General activities

Alongside the programme students could:

• Write a biography of King Alfred stressing that he should not be famous only for burning some cakes!
• Find photos of different shields on the internet and find out how they were used and by whom
• Design a heraldic design to go on a shield
• Look at images from the Bayeux Tapestry on the internet and list all the weapons you can see
• Find out more about the Sutton Hoo ship burial.

Programme-related activities

• The following tasks can be undertaken individually or in pairs
• Usually one copy of each worksheet is needed per student
• Encourage whole-class discussion and feedback after each activity.

Task 1: Types of shield
Students need to watch the whole programme.

Download activity sheet [Word document, 140KB]

Task 2: What does it mean?
Students need to watch the whole programme to find the answers.

Download activity sheet [Word document, 44KB]

Task 3: How useful were shields?
Students need to watch sections 07.35 – 09.59 and 14.50 – 18.43 and have the worksheet ready as they watch.

Download activity sheet [Word document, 44KB]

Task 4: Making an Anglo-Saxon shield
Students need to watch section 10.00 – 14.49.

Download activity sheet [Word document, 40KB]

Task 5: Ask the expert
Students need to watch the whole programme.

Download activity sheet [Word document, 44KB]