History Around Us essay questions and paragraphs

Question 1

The reason for the location of the site within its surroundings

Answer 1

1. Ludgate Hill was the highest point in the city, St Paul’s built to overlook the City of London
2. It was likely that there was a Roman shrine on Ludgate Hill
3. St Paul’s was built to impress and remains a great source of pride to Londoners

Question 2

When and why people first created the site?

Answer 2

1. Pope Gregory ordered Augustine to set up two archbishoprics and Mellitus went with Augustine and consecrated St Paul’s in 604AD
2. In 668, Theodore, Archbishop of Canterbury consecrated Erkenwald in 675 whose shrine became a major site of pilgrimage
3. In 1087, Bishop Maurice rebuilt St Paul’s, taking over one hundred years to complete

Question 3

The ways in which the site has changed over time

Answer 3

1. Old St Paul’s was the ‘grapevine’ of London
2. The long reformation brought lots of change to St Paul’s
3. Wren’s Warrant Design accepted in 1675

Question 4

How the site has been used throughout its history

Answer 4

1. Key religious site to bring people closer to God
2. A site of national celebration and mourning
3. A symbol of wealth, rebirth and survival

Question 5

The diversity of activities and people associated with the site

Answer 5

1. Shrine of St Erkenwald helped re-establish St Paul’s
2. Christopher Wren was a gifted scientist, mathematician and astronomer
3. Charles II set about restoring the cathedral after falling into a state of disrepair in 1660

Question 6

Reasons for changes to the site and the way it was used

Answer 6

1. Changes in who were remembered from war heroes to scientific people
2. Shift to a more inclusive and appealing religious site
3. St Paul’s became a physical and visible symbol of hope and survival during WWII

Question 7

Importance of the whole site locally or nationally

Answer 7

1. Funerals of Nelson and Wellington shows that St Paul’ was extremely important to England
2. Marriage of Charles and Diana highlights the national importance as hundreds of millions would tune in so setting would be important
3. 2012 Olympic torch relay came to the steps of St Paul’s and the Paralympics basketball was held under the dome