| Date | May 2021 | Marks available | 4 | Reference code | 21M.1.BP.TZ0.2 |
| Level | Both SL and HL | Paper | Paper 1 - first exams 2017 | Time zone | TZ0 |
| Command term | Analyse | Question number | 2 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Source A John Gillingham, an historian specializing in medieval history, writing in the academic book Richard I (2002).
While celebrations went on inside the palace, a riot developed outside. Some Jews, bringing gifts for the new king, had tried to enter, but the Christian crowd at the gates would not allow it. They fell upon the Jews, killing some and wounding others. The trouble then spread to the city of London, where it continued throughout the night. Jews were killed, their houses robbed and burned down. Next day, Richard had some of the rioters arrested, three of them hanged. A Jew who in fear of his life had agreed to be baptized a Christian, Richard encouraged him to return to his religion. The king sent letters to every region ordering that the Jews should be left in peace … Despite his efforts, there were more anti‑Jewish riots in the next few months at Lynn, Norwich, Lincoln and Stamford. This wave of popular anti‑Semitism [anti‑Jewish feelings] reached its height at York in March 1190, by which time Richard had already left the country.
[Source: Gillingham, J. Richard I. Copyright © 1999 by John Gillingham. Reproduced with permission of The Licensor through PLSclear.]
With reference to its origin, purpose and content, analyse the value and limitations of Source A for an historian studying the treatment of the Jews during the reign of Richard I.
Markscheme
Value:
- The author is an historian, specializing in medieval history, and is likely to have based his research on detailed information.
- The author’s intention is to provide an overall account of Richard I’s reign and thus the source provides context of the situation of the Jews during his reign.
- It offers detail on the violence against the Jews and Richard I’s reactions to the events.
Limitations:
- The source was written about 800 years after the events it describes, so it may have been more difficult to find resources.
- The source is on Richard I, rather than specifically on the treatment of Jews, so the material offered on this subject may be limited.
- The source gives a mainly positive view on Richard I’s response to the events and so may not consider any failures.
The focus of the question is on the value and limitations of the source. If only value or limitations are discussed, award a maximum of [2]. Origin, purpose and content should be used as supporting evidence to make relevant comments on the value and limitations. For [4] there must be at least one reference to each of them in either the value or the limitations.
Examiners report
Most candidates analysed the origin, purpose and content of the source to find some value and limitations. In general, candidates seem to have a better understanding of what is required and how to approach this question. Stronger responses gave clear and specific explanations of value and limitations. However, there were a proportion of responses that merely described the origin and purpose and others that described the provenance at length before going on to explain value and limitations which wasted valuable time. Some candidates did not refer to one of the elements in their response, for example no reference to purpose or to content. To attain full marks, candidates should be aware that they need to make valid comments on the value and limitations of the source drawn from its origin, purpose and content.
