GCSE (9–1) HISTORY B — June 2025 PAST PAPER: Crime and Punishment & The Norman
Conquest Merged Question Paper & Mark Scheme [OCR J411/14]
Exam Resource Summary
The June 2025 GCSE (9–1) History B Crime and Punishment c.1250 to Present with The Norman
Conquest 1065–1087 Paper (OCR J411/14) provides a fully merged resource combining the complete
examination paper with its official mark scheme. This integrated format enables learners to see exactly
how each question is assessed, clarifying examiner expectations and outlining the criteria for achieving
top-band marks. This component examines two key historical themes: the development of crime and
punishment in Britain from the medieval period to the modern era, and the events, causes, and
consequences of the Norman Conquest. Candidates are expected to analyse historical sources, evaluate
interpretations, and construct coherent, evidence-based arguments demonstrating understanding of
continuity, change, and causation in historical contexts. By presenting each question alongside detailed
marking guidance, this resource strengthens learners’ analytical and evaluative skills, improves the clarity
and structure of written responses, and provides focused practice for high-quality historical writing. It
serves as an essential revision tool, preparing students thoroughly for the 2026 OCR GCSE History B
(Schools History Project) examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Section A
Crime and Punishment, c.1250 to present
Answer Questions 1(a–c), 2 and 3.
1
(a) Name one crime in medieval Britain (1250–1500) which could be punished by execution. [1]
(b) Name one new punishment introduced in the early modern period (1500–1750). [1]
(c) Identify one reason why the crime rate changed during the period 1900 to 2015. [1]
2 Write a clear and organised summary that analyses the use of technology in law enforcement
since c.1900.
Support your summary with examples. [9]
3 Why was the Metropolitan Police Force set up in 1829?
Explain your answer. [10]
Answer Question 4 or Question 5.
4* ‘The role of the community in enforcing the law and punishing criminals was more important in
the medieval period (1250–1500) than it has been after 1900.’
How far do you agree?
Give reasons for your answer. [18]
5* ‘The reason punishments changed in the period 1750–1900 was because of new concerns about
people’s welfare.’
How far do you agree?
Give reasons for your answer. [18]
© OCR 2025 J411/14 Jun25
, 3
Section B
The Norman Conquest, 1065–1087
Answer Questions 6(a–b) and 7.
6
(a) In Interpretation A, the podcaster gives us a negative impression of the role of knights in
Norman culture.
Identify and explain one way in which he does this. [3]
Interpretation A
An extract from ‘The British History Podcast’ by Jamie Jeffers. The podcast was made recently.
Before 1066, in Anglo-Saxon England, the sons of noblemen were expected to be educated
and literate. They took an interest in culture and the arts. They were expected to take an
interest in the law and in international events.
Anglo-Saxon England was sheltered from the culture of knights. This culture was at the
centre of Norman society and mainly focused on horsemanship and war. Culturally, this was
a disaster. A boy who trained as a Norman knight had no book learning. After fifteen or twenty
years of education he would know how to do only two things: hunt and fight. He had no other
useful skills, and looked down upon those who did.
Craftsmanship, education and the arts did not matter to Norman knights. Their self-worth and
identity rested entirely on their ability to hand out violence. The culture of knights was brutish
and barbaric. It created a flood of illiterate, uncultured young men who were desperate for an
opportunity to be violent.
(b) If you were asked to do further research on one aspect of Interpretation A, what would you
choose to investigate?
Explain how this would help us to analyse and understand Normandy before 1066. [5]
© OCR 2025 J411/14 Jun25 Turn over
, 4
7 Interpretations B and C both focus on how William the Conqueror dealt with his opponents.
How far do they differ and what might explain any differences? [12]
Interpretation B
An extract from a recent TV documentary called ‘Rebellion in the North’. It was part of a series of
programmes which celebrated the rebels who challenged the treatment of the North of England
across different periods of history.
By late 1069, the North of England was alive with rebellion, while other revolts raged in the
west and southwest. The Northerners were sending a clear message to William: they were
ready to do anything to defend their rights.
William was enraged. His response was swift. He decided to teach the North a lesson by
striking terror into the hearts of the people. His actions have been considered an act of
genocide.
He gave his soldiers permission to roam free and do their worst. His soldiers burned houses
and destroyed farm animals, leaving nothing behind. Women, children, men, the elderly, and
babies were all subject to the Norman sword. It was a truly terrible time to live in the North of
England.
By April 1070, thanks to William’s efficient, military machine, the North lay in ruins, the people
starving.
Genocide means the deliberate murder of a specific group of people.
Interpretation C
An extract from a biography of William the Conqueror by historian Marc Morris, published in
2016. This extract is taken from the concluding chapter which looked back over the rest of the
book.
William has been seen by some as a peace-loving ruler, and by others as an oppressive ruler.
The truth lies somewhere between the two.
Whilst harrying was standard practice in medieval warfare, the scale of the destruction brought
about by the Harrying of the North had such terrible consequences that even writers at the
time thought it went too far. Nevertheless, despite their views on the Harrying of the North, not
all Anglo-Saxon writers judged William’s rule to be cruel overall.
Of course, by present standards, some of the punishments William dished out were savage
– his mutilation and blinding of some Saxon rebels, for example, would today be regarded as
unacceptable. However, the eleventh century was a cruel time. In Anglo-Saxon England, for
example, disobedient slaves were stoned or burned to death. Therefore, we cannot be sure
whether all of William’s behaviour was regarded as unusually cruel in his own day.
© OCR 2025 J411/14 Jun25
Conquest Merged Question Paper & Mark Scheme [OCR J411/14]
Exam Resource Summary
The June 2025 GCSE (9–1) History B Crime and Punishment c.1250 to Present with The Norman
Conquest 1065–1087 Paper (OCR J411/14) provides a fully merged resource combining the complete
examination paper with its official mark scheme. This integrated format enables learners to see exactly
how each question is assessed, clarifying examiner expectations and outlining the criteria for achieving
top-band marks. This component examines two key historical themes: the development of crime and
punishment in Britain from the medieval period to the modern era, and the events, causes, and
consequences of the Norman Conquest. Candidates are expected to analyse historical sources, evaluate
interpretations, and construct coherent, evidence-based arguments demonstrating understanding of
continuity, change, and causation in historical contexts. By presenting each question alongside detailed
marking guidance, this resource strengthens learners’ analytical and evaluative skills, improves the clarity
and structure of written responses, and provides focused practice for high-quality historical writing. It
serves as an essential revision tool, preparing students thoroughly for the 2026 OCR GCSE History B
(Schools History Project) examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Section A
Crime and Punishment, c.1250 to present
Answer Questions 1(a–c), 2 and 3.
1
(a) Name one crime in medieval Britain (1250–1500) which could be punished by execution. [1]
(b) Name one new punishment introduced in the early modern period (1500–1750). [1]
(c) Identify one reason why the crime rate changed during the period 1900 to 2015. [1]
2 Write a clear and organised summary that analyses the use of technology in law enforcement
since c.1900.
Support your summary with examples. [9]
3 Why was the Metropolitan Police Force set up in 1829?
Explain your answer. [10]
Answer Question 4 or Question 5.
4* ‘The role of the community in enforcing the law and punishing criminals was more important in
the medieval period (1250–1500) than it has been after 1900.’
How far do you agree?
Give reasons for your answer. [18]
5* ‘The reason punishments changed in the period 1750–1900 was because of new concerns about
people’s welfare.’
How far do you agree?
Give reasons for your answer. [18]
© OCR 2025 J411/14 Jun25
, 3
Section B
The Norman Conquest, 1065–1087
Answer Questions 6(a–b) and 7.
6
(a) In Interpretation A, the podcaster gives us a negative impression of the role of knights in
Norman culture.
Identify and explain one way in which he does this. [3]
Interpretation A
An extract from ‘The British History Podcast’ by Jamie Jeffers. The podcast was made recently.
Before 1066, in Anglo-Saxon England, the sons of noblemen were expected to be educated
and literate. They took an interest in culture and the arts. They were expected to take an
interest in the law and in international events.
Anglo-Saxon England was sheltered from the culture of knights. This culture was at the
centre of Norman society and mainly focused on horsemanship and war. Culturally, this was
a disaster. A boy who trained as a Norman knight had no book learning. After fifteen or twenty
years of education he would know how to do only two things: hunt and fight. He had no other
useful skills, and looked down upon those who did.
Craftsmanship, education and the arts did not matter to Norman knights. Their self-worth and
identity rested entirely on their ability to hand out violence. The culture of knights was brutish
and barbaric. It created a flood of illiterate, uncultured young men who were desperate for an
opportunity to be violent.
(b) If you were asked to do further research on one aspect of Interpretation A, what would you
choose to investigate?
Explain how this would help us to analyse and understand Normandy before 1066. [5]
© OCR 2025 J411/14 Jun25 Turn over
, 4
7 Interpretations B and C both focus on how William the Conqueror dealt with his opponents.
How far do they differ and what might explain any differences? [12]
Interpretation B
An extract from a recent TV documentary called ‘Rebellion in the North’. It was part of a series of
programmes which celebrated the rebels who challenged the treatment of the North of England
across different periods of history.
By late 1069, the North of England was alive with rebellion, while other revolts raged in the
west and southwest. The Northerners were sending a clear message to William: they were
ready to do anything to defend their rights.
William was enraged. His response was swift. He decided to teach the North a lesson by
striking terror into the hearts of the people. His actions have been considered an act of
genocide.
He gave his soldiers permission to roam free and do their worst. His soldiers burned houses
and destroyed farm animals, leaving nothing behind. Women, children, men, the elderly, and
babies were all subject to the Norman sword. It was a truly terrible time to live in the North of
England.
By April 1070, thanks to William’s efficient, military machine, the North lay in ruins, the people
starving.
Genocide means the deliberate murder of a specific group of people.
Interpretation C
An extract from a biography of William the Conqueror by historian Marc Morris, published in
2016. This extract is taken from the concluding chapter which looked back over the rest of the
book.
William has been seen by some as a peace-loving ruler, and by others as an oppressive ruler.
The truth lies somewhere between the two.
Whilst harrying was standard practice in medieval warfare, the scale of the destruction brought
about by the Harrying of the North had such terrible consequences that even writers at the
time thought it went too far. Nevertheless, despite their views on the Harrying of the North, not
all Anglo-Saxon writers judged William’s rule to be cruel overall.
Of course, by present standards, some of the punishments William dished out were savage
– his mutilation and blinding of some Saxon rebels, for example, would today be regarded as
unacceptable. However, the eleventh century was a cruel time. In Anglo-Saxon England, for
example, disobedient slaves were stoned or burned to death. Therefore, we cannot be sure
whether all of William’s behaviour was regarded as unusually cruel in his own day.
© OCR 2025 J411/14 Jun25
