GCSE History Edexcel: Henry VIII - Thomas Cromwell's Downfall (Lesson 17)

In this lesson, students will be able to fully explain the main reasons which led to the downfall and execution of Henry VIII’s Chief Minister, Thomas Cromwell. The lesson is suited for or could easily be adapted for students aged 12-16

This lesson examines the following questions relating to Cromwell’s Reforms:
Why was Thomas Cromwell unpopular by 1540?
What was the role of the Duke of Norfolk in Cromwell’s downfall?
What was the longer-term impact of Cromwell’s execution?

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

The downloaded lesson includes the following:

1x main Power Point:
Slide 1: Title slide – Thomas Cromwell’s Fall from Power (1540)
Slide 2: Main Lesson Aims
Slide 3: As You Enter Warm Up: ‘Not another Thomas’ – Match up the ‘Tudor Thomas’ to his role. Answers revealed.
Slide 4-5: Thomas Cromwell Recap: Students to use their prior knowledge of Thomas Cromwell to fill in the missing words. Answers revealed.
Slide 6: Background Information: Who was Thomas Howard, the Duke of Norfolk?
Slide 7-9: Task 1: Cromwell V’s Norfolk. Students use the fact files about Thomas Cromwell and the Duke of Norfolk to identify why there was conflict between them. Printouts included
Slide 10-11: Task 2: Students explain the main reasons for Cromwell’s downfall using a P.E.E. table.
Slide 12: Task 3 – What was the impact of Cromwell’s death? A discussion-based diagram and task.
Slide 14-15: Lesson Learning Review – True or False Quiz – with answers
Slide 16: Example Exam Questions
Slide 17-18: End of Unit/Key Topic Blockbusters Style quiz with full instructions. Fully animated and great fun!
Slide 19 : Lesson Fact Sheet

I would be 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.