Resources for KS3 learners of German

***Oswald and the Raven* / *Oswald und der Rabe***

These resources were designed by academics from King’s College London and University College London in collaboration with teachers and pupils from schools in the Peterborough area. The resources take their inspiration from Oswald of Northumbria, a real-life medieval king. Oswald lived, ruled and died in the seventh century, but throughout the Middle Ages and beyond stories were told about him throughout Europe, especially in England, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In England Oswald was venerated as a saint and was particularly important in Northumbria, Oswestry (where he is likely to have died in battle), Gloucester and Peterborough.

Oswald is also an incredibly important figure in Germany. In Germany, the stories told about Oswald changed enormously. Whereas English legends of Oswald describe him as a good and virtuous king, German legends of Oswald give him a naughty talking raven who helps him find a wife. These German legends of an English king inspire the animation in the pack, as well as many of the exercises.

Oswald is a historical figure who inspired a range of legends in English and in German. Through these legends he also allows us to make connections between places in England – like Peterborough, Gloucester, Oswestry or Hexham – and the German-speaking world. We hope that these historical connections will inspire teachers and students in these areas (and elsewhere!) to explore contemporary links between where they live and places in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.