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Will Somer

KS1 Significant Individuals

About this learning resource

Format: Video

These resources support Key Stage 1 students discover the lives of significant historical individuals by using primary sources as evidence.

Discover the story of Will Somer, a royal entertainer at Hampton Court Palace who may have had a learning disability. Discover what his job was like, how he became close to Henry VIII’s family, and did he really have a monkey?

  • Meet Will Somer video
  • Primary Source PowerPoint Task
  • Watch-Along Guide

Plus a Tudor Knowledge Booster for teachers to help enhance subject knowledge with quick, accessible insights.

Resource Information

Key Stage

  • KS1 (age 5-7)

Subjects

  • English
  • History

Topic

  • Elizabethans
  • Tudors
  • Diverse Histories

Type

  • Videos
  • Lesson ideas

Palace

  • Hampton Court Palace
Back to learning resources

Meet Will Somer Video

This short video combines dramatised scenes with real historical sources.

  • Will Somer key facts 
  • Life in the Tudor period 
  • How do we know about Will Somer today? 
  • How can we remember Will Somer today?

Primary Source PowerPoint Task

Learning resource preview image featuring painting of historic people

Check out the notes section under the PowerPoint slides for information and ideas.

How do we know about Will Somer?

This editable PowerPoint features primary sources. It includes suggested classroom tasks to encourage students to investigate real historical evidence.

Watch-Along Guide

Preview of a learning resource containing imagery and text

This simple guide offers practical ideas for using these resources with your students, including key vocabulary and discussion questions.

More learning resources

Image of costumed actor

Tudor Knowledge Booster

Topics include the power of the monarchy, daily life, plus the exploration, trade and exploitation. 

Costumed actor portraying a historical figure

Significant Individuals

Meet other significant people from the Tudor and Victorian period. 

Our Key Stage 1 resources have been developed in collaboration with Mr T Does Primary History.