Teachers' Notes

Resource created by British Library and in partnership with Corrina Stewart from Bramhope Primary School.

This resource questions what maps usually look like. Why do these drawings from the George III collection look very different from maps today, and what can they tell us about life in the 18th century?

These drawings are visually beautiful but can be hard to interpret in detail without context. Setting the scene with a background study on George III may help alongside the use of Digimaps for Schools to compare the 18th century George III maps with 1850, 1950 and the present day.

The drawings are all part of a much larger story – links can be made with other resources on MyLearning.

This resource was created using archives from the British Library.

Curriculum Links

KS2 History:

A local history study
- A study over time tracing how several aspects of national history are reflected in the locality (Agricultural and Industrial Revolution – Leeds maps).
- A study of an aspect of history or a site dating from a period beyond 1066 that is significant in the locality (Harewood House, Gawthorpe Hall, Kirkstall Abbey, Bramham Park).
Changes in an aspect of social and economic history.

KS3 History: A local history study

A study over time tracing how several aspects of national history are reflected in the locality (Empire, Agricultural and Industrial Revolution).

Main Activity (download here)

Using George III maps to explore Leeds through a global context

Corrina Stewart from Bramhope Primary School developed this lesson plan guidance to help students to explore King George’s collection through historical enquiry.

There are some resources that will be particularly relevant for schools in Harewood and Kirkstall.

The lesson plan PowerPoint document (see Resources) contains a series of 6 lesson plans and additional creative activity ideas focusing on life in the 18th century during King George III's reign. Using the maps as a key historical source they will explore the development of the city of Leeds and surrounding areas including Gawthorpe Hall and Harewood House.

Aims

To analyse and interpret the George III 18th century maps of Leeds to understand the city's growth and development and the social, economic and cultural factors that influenced its development.
To build knowledge of how living conditions altered for people in all areas of society in Leeds from the 17th-18th centuries, contrasting the lives of the rich and poor.
To grow an understanding of continuity and change throughout history and the effects of key events, such as legislation.
To develop the skills to engage with a local history study and draw contrasts and connections between different periods.

Objectives:

Introducing the George III maps and drawings
The world in the 18th century
The British Empire
Map making techniques
Map analysis
Creative mapping

Lesson Ideas:

Lesson 1 – Introduction to George III maps
Lesson 2- Compare 18th century Leeds to modern-day Leeds
Lesson 3 – Understand the factors that influenced the development of Leeds from the 18th century
Lesson 4 - A detailed exploration of the maps of Harewood House and Gawthorpe Hall.
Lesson 5 – A detailed exploration of the maps of Harewood House and Gawthorpe Hall. The history of Harewood House.
Lesson 6 – A detailed exploration of the maps of Harewood House and Gawthorpe Hall. The historical significance of Harewood House and surrounding area.

Other Activity Ideas

Design a museum exhibit: You could include the George III topographical drawings, additional images, videos, and text to show what you have learned about Leeds through the ages starting from the 18th century. Use the Leodis website to find more images and information about Leeds from the 19th and 20th Centuries.
Produce a historical podcast: In small groups, create a podcast series on the history of Leeds. Each episode could cover a different period of time using the George III topographical drawings as the hook. Students could be interviewed in character as expert historians, do dramatic readings of primary sources, and recreate audio clips of historical events.
Conduct a historic walking tour: In small groups, research and create a guided walking tour of Leeds' historic sites. You could walk to sites such as City Square (using the George III drawing of the Cloth Hall which used to be situated there) or the old infirmary. Use Google Maps to plot out the tour and create an accompanying brochure that explains the significance and history of each landmark.
Build a Leeds model: As individuals or in groups, create a physical model of a significant Leeds landmark, such as Kirkstall Abbey or Harewood House. Use materials like cardboard or clay to bring the model to life.
Produce a historical news report: Working in small groups or as individuals, create a news report that covers a significant event or time period in Leeds' history. Write a script, record your group giving the report, and edit it together using iMovie or other video editing software. You could focus on Harewood House, Kirkstall Abbey or Bramham Park using the George III topographical drawings as a stimulus.
Create a biographical poster or a leaflet about George III using iPads to research. You could design and illustrate the poster or type up the leaflet using relevant information from your research. Show how creative you can be with different designs and layouts.
Build a timeline showing the major events and developments during the reign of George III – include global, national, and local events.
Create a video report or iMovie on the impact of George III's reign on Britain and the world. You will need to research and select key events and figures to focus on within a given time period.
Develop a role-play performance about life in Leeds based on one of the George III topographical drawings of Leeds. You will need to brainstorm ideas about what you see in the drawing, do some research and use your imagination to develop characters and your role-play performance script. Think about how to find out what people at the time were worried about - What were the issues they were facing? What changes were happening in their lives? How did they feel?
Create a short animation showing the key aspects of George III's reign, including his influence on the arts, sciences and technology. You could use digital tools to create your animations.

Discussion ideas