GCSE History Edexcel: Henry VIII - Reasons for Anne Boleyn's Downfall & Execution (Lesson 13)

In this lesson, students will be able to investigate the main reasons for Anne Boleyn’s downfall and her eventual execution in 1536. The lesson is suited for or could easily be adapted for students aged 12-16

This lesson examines the following questions relating to Anne Boleyn:
What crimes was Anne Boleyn accused of?
How had Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII’s relationship declined by 1536?
What were the main reasons for the downfall and execution of Anne Boleyn?

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 – Why was Anne Boleyn executed?

1x main Power Point:
Slide 1: Title slide – Why was Anne Boleyn executed in 1536?
Slide 2: Main Lesson Aims
Slide 3: As You Enter Warm Up: Methods of execution in the 1500s.
Slide 4-5: As You Enter Warm Up 2: Students analyse two illustrations of Anne Boleyn’s execution and look out for similarities and differences.
Slide 6-7: Learning Recap: Nine questions from the topic so far which link to this lesson. Answers revealed.
Slide 8: Background Information: What happened during Anne Boleyn’s final days?
Slide 9: Task 1 – Students sort the reasons for Anne Boleyn’s downfall and execution. This links to the additional A4 worksheet.
Slide 10-11: Task 2 – The role of key individuals in Anne downfall. A printable worksheet included.
Slide 12: Role Play Activity & Instructions
Slide 13: Challenge Source Analysis Task
Slide 14: Higher Level Challenge Task – How do all the reasons for Anne Boleyn’s execution link to each other?
Slide 15: Lesson Follow Up Questions
Slide 16: Example exam/assessment questions
Slide 17 – 18: Learning Review Quiz – with answers revealed
Slide 19: 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.