2025 OCR A Level History A
Y102/01 Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest
1035–1107
Verified Question paper with Marking Scheme Attached
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Friday 6 June 2025 – Afternoon
A Level History A
Y102/01 Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest 1035–
1107
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
You must have:
• the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers must be
clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer Question 1 in Section A. Answer either Question 2 or Question 3 in Section B.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 50.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 4 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2025 [F/506/4252] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (KS) 358947/1 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
Y102/01 Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest
1035–1107
Verified Question paper with Marking Scheme Attached
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Friday 6 June 2025 – Afternoon
A Level History A
Y102/01 Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest 1035–
1107
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
You must have:
• the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers must be
clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer Question 1 in Section A. Answer either Question 2 or Question 3 in Section B.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 50.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 4 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2025 [F/506/4252] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (KS) 358947/1 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
