This enquiry zooms in on one of the cultural products that the Vikings left behind: namely, the Gosforth Cross.
The Gosforth Cross is a huge stone monument thought to have been carved by the Vikings in the first half of the tenth century.
Historians and archaeologists remain fascinated by the carvings featured on the cross, because they appear to reflect a mishmash of Christian belief and Norse mythology.
Does the cross indicate the Vikings’ conversion to Christianity, or were the Vikings still trying to hold on to their traditional beliefs?
In the lesson, students first match up images from the cross with their captions, before they decipher the images: which ones reflect Christian beliefs, and which ones reflect Norse mythology?
Finally, students must use their new knowledge to produce voice-overs for an audio guide about the Gosforth Cross, explaining the significance of the cross and its carvings.
Download lesson
- Lesson presentation: PowerPoint
- Lesson write-up: PDF
- Resource Sheets 1: PDF
- Worksheet 1: PDF
Price: £12.99
