A LEVEL HISTORY A: Actual June 2025 PAST PAPER 1: Anglo-Saxon England and the
Norman Conquest 1035–1107. All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR Y102/01]
Exam Resource Summary
The A Level History A June 2025 Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest 1035–1107
Paper (OCR Y102/01) unites the full official examination paper with its comprehensive mark
scheme to provide a clear, focused revision tool. This paper examines England’s political instability
in the mid-11th century, the crisis of succession, the Norman invasion of 1066, and the subsequent
transformation of English society under Norman rule. Students must demonstrate analytical
precision as they evaluate historical sources, interrogate differing interpretations, and construct
well-supported arguments on themes such as kingship, governance, military organization, social
change, resistance, and consolidation of power. By presenting each question together with its mark
scheme, this resource clarifies examiner expectations, highlights the criteria for higher-band
responses, and strengthens both source analysis and extended essay writing. This integrated format
supports targeted study, deepens understanding of the Anglo-Saxon–Norman transition, and
thoroughly prepares candidates for the May/June 2026 OCR A Level History A examination on
Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest 1035–1107.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Section A
Norman England 1087–1107
Study the four sources and answer Question 1.
1 ‘William II’s actions in dealing with threats from Scotland and Wales were effective’.
Use the four sources in their historical context to assess how far they support this view. [30]
Source A: A Chronicle gives an account of events in the north.
While king William was out of England, king Malcolm of Scotland invaded England and overran a
great deal of the country, until the good men who governed it sent an army against him and repulsed
him. When king William in Normandy heard this, he came to England and his brother, earl Robert,
was with him. He issued orders to collect forces, both naval and military, but before the naval force
could reach Scotland it perished miserably. The king and his brother proceeded with the land force.
When the king came near to Malcolm with the army, earl Robert and Edgar Aethling interceded and
so made peace between the kings. King Malcolm came to our king and did homage and promised
obedience.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, 1091
Source B: A monk at Durham reports on events in 1093.
The Scots chose the brother of king Malcolm as their king and expelled all the Englishmen at court
from Scotland. When this was known, Duncan, the son of king Malcolm, begged king William, in
whose service he was then fighting, that he would grant him his father’s kingdom. Having obtained
this he swore fealty to William and hastened to Scotland with a multitude of English and Normans and
drove his uncle from the kingdom and ruled in his stead. Then some of the Scots assembled together
and cut off nearly all his men and he and a few others escaped with difficulty. Nevertheless, after this
the Scots permitted him to reign.
Simeon of Durham, A History of the Kings of England, written before 1129
Source C: A monk gives his view about William’s achievements in Wales by the end of 1095.
William led an expedition against the Welsh in which he performed nothing worthy of his greatness.
He lost many of his soldiers and had his packhorses intercepted. Not only at that time, but frequently
in Wales, was fortune unfavourable towards him. This may seem strange as the chance of war was
generally on his side in other places. But it appears to me that the unevenness of the country and the
badness of the weather, as it assisted their rebellion, were also a hindrance to him in displaying his
valour.
William of Malmesbury, Chronicle of the Kings of England, written before 1143
© OCR 2025 Y102/01 Jun25
, 3
Source D: An archdeacon in the diocese of Lincoln describes events in Wales.
In 1095 the energetic king invaded Wales. This was the reason: in the previous year they had killed
many Frenchmen and stormed the strongholds of the nobles and invaded the borders with sword and
fire. They destroyed the castle of Montgomery and murdered the inhabitants. So the king crossed
the border into Wales, but, as he was unable to pursue them, he left, having accomplished little or
nothing.
Henry of Huntingdon, The History of the English People, written before c.1157
© OCR 2025 Y102/01 Jun25 Turn over
Norman Conquest 1035–1107. All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR Y102/01]
Exam Resource Summary
The A Level History A June 2025 Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest 1035–1107
Paper (OCR Y102/01) unites the full official examination paper with its comprehensive mark
scheme to provide a clear, focused revision tool. This paper examines England’s political instability
in the mid-11th century, the crisis of succession, the Norman invasion of 1066, and the subsequent
transformation of English society under Norman rule. Students must demonstrate analytical
precision as they evaluate historical sources, interrogate differing interpretations, and construct
well-supported arguments on themes such as kingship, governance, military organization, social
change, resistance, and consolidation of power. By presenting each question together with its mark
scheme, this resource clarifies examiner expectations, highlights the criteria for higher-band
responses, and strengthens both source analysis and extended essay writing. This integrated format
supports targeted study, deepens understanding of the Anglo-Saxon–Norman transition, and
thoroughly prepares candidates for the May/June 2026 OCR A Level History A examination on
Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest 1035–1107.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Section A
Norman England 1087–1107
Study the four sources and answer Question 1.
1 ‘William II’s actions in dealing with threats from Scotland and Wales were effective’.
Use the four sources in their historical context to assess how far they support this view. [30]
Source A: A Chronicle gives an account of events in the north.
While king William was out of England, king Malcolm of Scotland invaded England and overran a
great deal of the country, until the good men who governed it sent an army against him and repulsed
him. When king William in Normandy heard this, he came to England and his brother, earl Robert,
was with him. He issued orders to collect forces, both naval and military, but before the naval force
could reach Scotland it perished miserably. The king and his brother proceeded with the land force.
When the king came near to Malcolm with the army, earl Robert and Edgar Aethling interceded and
so made peace between the kings. King Malcolm came to our king and did homage and promised
obedience.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, 1091
Source B: A monk at Durham reports on events in 1093.
The Scots chose the brother of king Malcolm as their king and expelled all the Englishmen at court
from Scotland. When this was known, Duncan, the son of king Malcolm, begged king William, in
whose service he was then fighting, that he would grant him his father’s kingdom. Having obtained
this he swore fealty to William and hastened to Scotland with a multitude of English and Normans and
drove his uncle from the kingdom and ruled in his stead. Then some of the Scots assembled together
and cut off nearly all his men and he and a few others escaped with difficulty. Nevertheless, after this
the Scots permitted him to reign.
Simeon of Durham, A History of the Kings of England, written before 1129
Source C: A monk gives his view about William’s achievements in Wales by the end of 1095.
William led an expedition against the Welsh in which he performed nothing worthy of his greatness.
He lost many of his soldiers and had his packhorses intercepted. Not only at that time, but frequently
in Wales, was fortune unfavourable towards him. This may seem strange as the chance of war was
generally on his side in other places. But it appears to me that the unevenness of the country and the
badness of the weather, as it assisted their rebellion, were also a hindrance to him in displaying his
valour.
William of Malmesbury, Chronicle of the Kings of England, written before 1143
© OCR 2025 Y102/01 Jun25
, 3
Source D: An archdeacon in the diocese of Lincoln describes events in Wales.
In 1095 the energetic king invaded Wales. This was the reason: in the previous year they had killed
many Frenchmen and stormed the strongholds of the nobles and invaded the borders with sword and
fire. They destroyed the castle of Montgomery and murdered the inhabitants. So the king crossed
the border into Wales, but, as he was unable to pursue them, he left, having accomplished little or
nothing.
Henry of Huntingdon, The History of the English People, written before c.1157
© OCR 2025 Y102/01 Jun25 Turn over
