2025 OCR GCSE History B (Schools History Project)
J411/18;
Migrants to Britain, c.1250 to present with The
Elizabethans, 1580–1603
Complete Question paper with Marking Scheme
Combined
Thursday 5 June 2025 – Morning
GCSE (9–1) History B (Schools History Project)
J411/18 Migrants to Britain, c.1250 to present with The
Elizabethans, 1580–1603
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
You must have:
the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers
must be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Section A – Migrants to Britain, c.1250 to present: Answer Questions 1 (a–c), 2, 3 and
either Question 4 or Question 5.
• Section B – The Elizabethans, 1580–1603: Answer Questions 6(a–b) and 7, and either
Question 8 or Question 9.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 80.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 8 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
, 2
Section A
Migrants to Britain, c.1250 to present
Answer Questions 1 (a−c), 2 and 3.
1
(a) Give one example of a job or role typically carried out by Indian migrants who came to Britain in
the period 1600–1750. [1]
(b) Identify one reason why Irish migrants came to Britain between 1750 and 1900. [1]
(c) Identify one way the British government attempted to restrict migration to Britain in the 1960s or
early 1970s. [1]
2 Write a clear and organised summary that analyses attitudes towards migrants in the medieval
period (c.1250–1500).
Support your summary with examples. [9]
3 Why have migrants moved to Britain since 1980?
Explain your answer. [10]
Answer Question 4 or Question 5.
4* ‘European migrants were welcomed and accepted in Britain during the early modern period
(1500–1750).’
How far do you agree?
Give reasons for your answer. [18]
5* ‘Between 1750 and 1980, migrants to Britain had positive experiences.’
How far do you agree?
Give reasons for your answer. [18]
© OCR J411/18
2025 Jun25
, 3
Section B
The Elizabethans, 1580–1603
Answer Questions 6(a–b) and 7.
6
(a) In Interpretation A, historian Suzannah Lipscomb gives an impression of the wealth and
luxury associated with the Elizabethan nobility (upper class).
Identify and explain one way in which she does this. [3]
Interpretation A
An extract from a recent podcast in which the historian Suzannah Lipscomb walked around
Hardwick Hall, an Elizabethan country house, describing what she could see. Hardwick Hall was
owned by Bess of Hardwick.
I’m speaking to you from the magnificent Hardwick Hall. Crafted from golden
stone, it stands impressively tall with vast diamond-pane windows. It has six
grand turrets, with walkable roofs between them, and is topped with Bess of
Hardwick’s coat of arms.
I’ve now moved into the High Great Chamber. You could fit a five-bedroom
house in here! This vast space, like a palace, features an intricate
plasterwork frieze covered with lions, elephants, deer, camels, and trees.
Every room here is absolutely dripping with vivid, brightly coloured
tapestries.
Before I leave, I wanted to climb up here, onto the top of the Hall. This is
where Bess would have brought her guests. They would have walked
across the roof to the
banqueting house in one of the turrets. This was a room designed for the
final course of a feast and for only a select few of her guests. And this view
is what Bess would be showing them: the extent of her wealth. Here, she
was queen of all she could see.
(b) If you were asked to do further research on one aspect of Interpretation A, what would
you choose to investigate?
Explain how this would help us to analyse and understand the Elizabethan nobility (upper class).
[5]
© OCR J411/18 Turn over
2025 Jun25
, 4
7 Interpretations B and C both focus on the treatment of Catholics in England during the reign of
Elizabeth I.
How far do they differ and what might explain any differences? [12]
Interpretation B
An extract from the tourist website of Harvington Hall, an Elizabethan manor house in
Worcestershire. The house is now owned and run by the Catholic Church.
DISCOVER HARVINGTON HALL, THE HOUSE OF SECRETS
Explore the house as it was during Elizabeth I’s reign, when English Catholics
lived in terror. Wealthy families like the Pakingtons, owners of Harvington,
devised ways to keep their priests safe from priest hunters. The Hall boasts
the country’s finest collection of priest holes. Priest holes were secret hiding
spaces for Catholic priests, and there are seven at Harvington.
Priests endured cramped, cold, and dark conditions, sometimes hiding for
over a week. As you explore Harvington, imagine the terrifying sounds of
the priest hunters pulling up floorboards and stripping back wall panels.
Imagine how the priests would have felt knowing that, when the house fell
silent, the priest hunters were waiting to hear any sound. It was a real-life
game of hide-and-seek, often with awful consequences.
Harvington Hall’s theatrical tours vividly depict the dangers faced by
recusant families like the Pakingtons. Join us for a journey through fear,
Interpretation C
An extract from a recent article by the historian Susan Doran in ‘BBC History Magazine’.
Under Elizabeth, the Church of England was flexible and moderate.
Elizabeth would not listen to the extreme Protestants who attempted to
introduce more radical religious changes.
Elizabeth also tried to prevent Catholic rebellion without following a policy
of intense religious persecution. It is of course true that she signed the
death warrant of Mary Queen of Scots, but she did this with great
reluctance. It is also true that Jesuit priests and the people who hid them
were imprisoned or executed under Elizabeth, but this was mainly because
it was believed that the priests were being used by the Pope and Catholic
Spain to stir up trouble against Elizabeth.
By the standards of that time, Elizabeth was a model of religious tolerance.
Jesuit priests are a type of Catholic priest.
© OCR J411/18
2025 Jun25
J411/18;
Migrants to Britain, c.1250 to present with The
Elizabethans, 1580–1603
Complete Question paper with Marking Scheme
Combined
Thursday 5 June 2025 – Morning
GCSE (9–1) History B (Schools History Project)
J411/18 Migrants to Britain, c.1250 to present with The
Elizabethans, 1580–1603
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
You must have:
the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers
must be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Section A – Migrants to Britain, c.1250 to present: Answer Questions 1 (a–c), 2, 3 and
either Question 4 or Question 5.
• Section B – The Elizabethans, 1580–1603: Answer Questions 6(a–b) and 7, and either
Question 8 or Question 9.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 80.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 8 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
, 2
Section A
Migrants to Britain, c.1250 to present
Answer Questions 1 (a−c), 2 and 3.
1
(a) Give one example of a job or role typically carried out by Indian migrants who came to Britain in
the period 1600–1750. [1]
(b) Identify one reason why Irish migrants came to Britain between 1750 and 1900. [1]
(c) Identify one way the British government attempted to restrict migration to Britain in the 1960s or
early 1970s. [1]
2 Write a clear and organised summary that analyses attitudes towards migrants in the medieval
period (c.1250–1500).
Support your summary with examples. [9]
3 Why have migrants moved to Britain since 1980?
Explain your answer. [10]
Answer Question 4 or Question 5.
4* ‘European migrants were welcomed and accepted in Britain during the early modern period
(1500–1750).’
How far do you agree?
Give reasons for your answer. [18]
5* ‘Between 1750 and 1980, migrants to Britain had positive experiences.’
How far do you agree?
Give reasons for your answer. [18]
© OCR J411/18
2025 Jun25
, 3
Section B
The Elizabethans, 1580–1603
Answer Questions 6(a–b) and 7.
6
(a) In Interpretation A, historian Suzannah Lipscomb gives an impression of the wealth and
luxury associated with the Elizabethan nobility (upper class).
Identify and explain one way in which she does this. [3]
Interpretation A
An extract from a recent podcast in which the historian Suzannah Lipscomb walked around
Hardwick Hall, an Elizabethan country house, describing what she could see. Hardwick Hall was
owned by Bess of Hardwick.
I’m speaking to you from the magnificent Hardwick Hall. Crafted from golden
stone, it stands impressively tall with vast diamond-pane windows. It has six
grand turrets, with walkable roofs between them, and is topped with Bess of
Hardwick’s coat of arms.
I’ve now moved into the High Great Chamber. You could fit a five-bedroom
house in here! This vast space, like a palace, features an intricate
plasterwork frieze covered with lions, elephants, deer, camels, and trees.
Every room here is absolutely dripping with vivid, brightly coloured
tapestries.
Before I leave, I wanted to climb up here, onto the top of the Hall. This is
where Bess would have brought her guests. They would have walked
across the roof to the
banqueting house in one of the turrets. This was a room designed for the
final course of a feast and for only a select few of her guests. And this view
is what Bess would be showing them: the extent of her wealth. Here, she
was queen of all she could see.
(b) If you were asked to do further research on one aspect of Interpretation A, what would
you choose to investigate?
Explain how this would help us to analyse and understand the Elizabethan nobility (upper class).
[5]
© OCR J411/18 Turn over
2025 Jun25
, 4
7 Interpretations B and C both focus on the treatment of Catholics in England during the reign of
Elizabeth I.
How far do they differ and what might explain any differences? [12]
Interpretation B
An extract from the tourist website of Harvington Hall, an Elizabethan manor house in
Worcestershire. The house is now owned and run by the Catholic Church.
DISCOVER HARVINGTON HALL, THE HOUSE OF SECRETS
Explore the house as it was during Elizabeth I’s reign, when English Catholics
lived in terror. Wealthy families like the Pakingtons, owners of Harvington,
devised ways to keep their priests safe from priest hunters. The Hall boasts
the country’s finest collection of priest holes. Priest holes were secret hiding
spaces for Catholic priests, and there are seven at Harvington.
Priests endured cramped, cold, and dark conditions, sometimes hiding for
over a week. As you explore Harvington, imagine the terrifying sounds of
the priest hunters pulling up floorboards and stripping back wall panels.
Imagine how the priests would have felt knowing that, when the house fell
silent, the priest hunters were waiting to hear any sound. It was a real-life
game of hide-and-seek, often with awful consequences.
Harvington Hall’s theatrical tours vividly depict the dangers faced by
recusant families like the Pakingtons. Join us for a journey through fear,
Interpretation C
An extract from a recent article by the historian Susan Doran in ‘BBC History Magazine’.
Under Elizabeth, the Church of England was flexible and moderate.
Elizabeth would not listen to the extreme Protestants who attempted to
introduce more radical religious changes.
Elizabeth also tried to prevent Catholic rebellion without following a policy
of intense religious persecution. It is of course true that she signed the
death warrant of Mary Queen of Scots, but she did this with great
reluctance. It is also true that Jesuit priests and the people who hid them
were imprisoned or executed under Elizabeth, but this was mainly because
it was believed that the priests were being used by the Pope and Catholic
Spain to stir up trouble against Elizabeth.
By the standards of that time, Elizabeth was a model of religious tolerance.
Jesuit priests are a type of Catholic priest.
© OCR J411/18
2025 Jun25
