GCSE History Edexcel: Henry VIII - Explaining Wolsey's Fall from Power by 1529 (Lesson 10)

This lesson can be specifically used for Edexcel GCSE History (1-9) British Depth Study – Henry VIII & his Ministers OR it can be easily adapted to teach students about the reasons that led to the fall of Thomas Wolsey by 1529. The lesson is suited for or could easily be adapted for students aged 12-16

This lesson examines the following questions relating to Wolsey’s downfall:
What events led to the downfall of Thomas Wolsey?
How can we explain the reasons?
Which of these reasons was the most significant?

This is a fully resourced lesson which includes a printable fact sheet based on the GCSE Edexcel specification as well as worksheets, discussion tasks, engaging background information, warm up tasks and learning reviews.

The downloaded lesson includes the following:

1x A4 printable worksheet diagram
1x A4 printable worksheet – dismissal letter to Wolsey

1x main Power Point:
Slide 1: Title slide – The reasons for the Fall of Wolsey by 1529.
Slide 2: Main Lesson Aims
Slide 3: As You Enter Warm Up: Why might politicians be fired in the modern world?
Slide 4-6: Learning Recap 1: Students match up the key terms linked to their learning about Thomas Wolsey. Answers revealed and this also includes a printable worksheet.
Slide 7-9: Starter Task: Students study 6 historical interpretations about Wolsey’s fall from power to get an idea of what the historians blame for his downfall.
Slide 10-11: Background information: The key moments after Wolsey’s dismissal to his death in late 1529.
Slide 12: Background Information: An outline of the main reasons for Wolsey’s fall from power.
Slide 13-14: Task 1: A task which asks students to summerise the main reasons for the downfall in the format of an A4 table or optional diagram.
Slide 15: Optional Creative Writing Task – Write Henry’s dismissal letter to Wolsey. A4 writing frame included.
Slide 16: Follow Up Challenge Tasks: 4 higher level questions based on the lesson.
Side 17: Example exam questions
Slide 18-19: Learning Review 1 Activity – A mega Blockbusters style quiz aimed at the whole class.
Slide 20: Lesson Fact Sheet

I would be really grateful if you could leave a review for the lesson if you feel the lesson is effective for you. Many thanks if you spend some of your valuable time doing this as feedback is highly valued.

All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.