@school
@school helps me with my homework.
@school

Saturday 23rd November 2024

@school helps me with my homework.

Teacher Notes

KS2 History - Famous People - Prime Ministers - Sir Robert Walpole

This activity will help children learn more about Sir Robert Walpole - the first British Prime Minister.

Close Notes
Sir Robert Walpole (1721-1742) WHIG

Number 10 Downing Street was built in 1731 and in 1732 George Washington was born. In 1738 Joseph Guillotin, who invented the guillotine, was born.

War was declared with Spain in 1739, known as the War of Jenkins’ Ear. Walpole became ill and there was doubt about his ability to continue in office. However he won a vote of confidence in 1742 over the government’s handling of the war with Spain.

Walpole’s wife died in 1737, but their relations had been strained for some time. Walpole married his long time mistress, Maria Skerritt on 3rd March 1738. However she died three months later during childbirth.

There was a famine in Ireland in 1740, and in the same year Thomas Arne wrote “Rule Britannia” and Frederick the Great became king of Prussia. In 1741 Handel wrote “The Messiah” in eighteen days.

Sir Robert Walpole accepted a peerage in that year and resigned as Prime Minister on 11th February 1742. He was named as Earl of Orford and continued to take part in debates in the House of Lords until his death in London on 18th March 1745.

1. What was the name of Walpole’s political party? 

2. What was the name of George II’s queen who supported Walpole? 

3. What was the name of the Bishop of Rochester who led the Jacobite plotters? 

4. For which place was Walpole MP after Castle Rising? 

5. When was 10 Downing Street built? 


  • Number of Attempts

    Number of Attempts :

  • Score

    Score :

  • Next Activity
  • Previous Activity
  • Back To List
  • Top of Page
  • Mark Answers
  • Show Answers
  • Refresh Screen
  • Print Activity