Edexcel A-Level · Analysis & Prediction

2023 Edexcel A-Level History (9HI0) Past Paper Analysis

This analysis covers the Summer 2023 Pearson Edexcel GCE History papers across Paper 1 (The Crusades), Paper 2 (Anglo-Saxon England / Henry II), and Paper 3 (Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII). The examination demanded highly nuanced source evaluation, critical comparative skills across medieval eras, and rigorous integration of contrasting historical interpretations.

Updated: 14 Jun 2026

Analysis Sample paper

Difficulty 3.8/5

Total marks

160

Duration

360 mins

Most tested

Royal authority, leadership challenges, and the impact of diplomacy vs. military power

Paper breakdown

Paper 1: Breadth study with interpretations (Option 1A: The crusades, c1095–1204): 60 marks · 135 minsPaper 2: Depth study (Option 2A: Anglo-Saxon/Henry II): 40 marks · 90 minsPaper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth (Option 30): 60 marks · 135 mins

Top chapters

Britain, 1399–1509: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII · 60 marksThe crusades, c1095–1204 · 60 marksEngland and the Angevin Empire in the reign of Henry II, 1154–89 · 40 marksAnglo-Saxon England and the Anglo-Norman Kingdom, c1053–1106 · 40 marks

Examiner Verdict & Difficulty Profile

The Summer 2023 papers present a challenging, high-tariff suite characteristic of Edexcel GCE History. Medieval options in Paper 1 (Option 1A) and Paper 2 (Option 2A) combined deep thematic understanding with intense source scrutiny. Paper 3 (Option 30) tested the limits of dynastic politics, demanding rigorous structural analysis of the Lancastrian, Yorkist, and early Tudor regimes. With a difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5, this series rewarded candidates who could move beyond mere storytelling to execute genuine historiographical debate and structural analysis.

Where the Marks Were Won and Lost

Historical Interpretations (AO3): In Paper 1 Section C, high-scoring candidates successfully integrated the contrasting viewpoints of Queller & Madden (Extract 1) and Angold (Extract 2) regarding Doge Enrico Dandolo. Marks were lost when candidates treated these extracts as simple reading comprehensions rather than debating the commercial rivalry between Venice, Pisa, and Genoa.
Source Utility (AO2): In Paper 2, candidates struggled when they did not contextualise the deep personal animosities behind contemporary letters, such as Bishop Gilbert Foliot's bitter rivalry with Thomas Becket.
Comparative Essays (AO1): On Paper 3, candidates frequently missed marks by attributing the Yorkist victories of 1460–61 entirely to Lancastrian mistakes, neglecting Edward IV's military prowess and the critical element of tactical luck at Towton.

Strategic Advice & Pitfall Avoidance

Examiners continuously highlight the danger of the 'chronological drift'—where candidates simply narrate events in order rather than structuring their answers analytically around the exact terms of the prompt. To secure Level 5 marks, candidates must establish clear criteria for judgement in their introductions and maintain a consistent thread of evaluation. For instance, when comparing the leadership of the First and Second Crusades, successful essays systematically evaluated objectives, crusader persistence, and the contrasting roles of feudal princes vs. monarchs.

Predictions & Future Outlook

Given the heavy focus in this series on external assistance and leaders' motives, future papers are highly likely to swing back toward internal governance, administrative reform, and finance. For Option 30, the financial and judicial innovations of Henry VII remain highly overdue for targeted essay testing. For the Crusades, expect a closer examination of the military orders' specific impact on defending the frontiers, as well as the rise of Zengi and Nur ad-Din in the later periods of the Levant.

Charts

Marks by chapter

See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.

Question type mix

Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.

Historical Interpretations Essay40 marks · 2 questions
Primary Source Evaluation Essay60 marks · 3 questions
Analytical Breadth/Depth Essay100 marks · 5 questions

Mark accessibility

Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.

75%within easy or medium reach

easy: 40 marksmedium: 80 markshard: 40 marks

Difficulty trend

Compare difficulty across recent years.

Command word frequency

Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

Study ROI

Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.

The crusades: Motives, leadership and Fourth Crusade interpretations

60 marks · Difficulty 3.4 · recurrence 100%

Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII: Royal power and nobility

60 marks · Difficulty 3.5 · recurrence 100%

Anglo-Saxon England: Defeat of the 1088 rebellion and Stamford Bridge

40 marks · Difficulty 3.2 · recurrence 80%

Henry II: Thomas Becket controversy and administrative inquests

40 marks · Difficulty 3.8 · recurrence 80%

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

marksmins

Next-year prediction

Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.

Henry VII's financial reforms and judicial mechanics (bonds and recognisances)85%

Summer 2023 focused heavily on Henry VII's diplomacy and relations with the nobility, leaving the inner workings of his financial system and the Council of Learned in Law highly overdue for testing.

The significance of the 1066 Norman Conquest changes on Anglo-Saxon land tenure and lordship80%

Recent papers analyzed Stamford Bridge and the subsequent rebellions of 1070–75, making structural socio-economic changes under William I highly likely for the next cycle.

The military orders and tactical defense of the Crusader States (Krak des Chevaliers, Templars/Hospitallers)78%

While defensive weaknesses and Byzantine support were explored in this series, the military orders as a self-funded core army have not had a standalone focus recently.

Cumulative marks ladder

The line is your running mark total question by question; dashed lines are the estimated grade cut-offs. See which question the line crosses your target grade at, so you know how far you must answer cleanly and which questions decide a band.

Topic-year heatmap

Compare topic weight by year to spot recurring and returning areas.

Jun 2022

Jun 2023

The crusades, c1095–1204

Anglo-Saxon England and the Anglo-Norman Kingdom, c1053–1106

England and the Angevin Empire in the reign of Henry II, 1154–89

Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII, 1399–1509

Examiner insights

Official report

Common pitfalls

Treating Section C extracts as basic reading comprehensions rather than identifying and debating the core historiographical clash between the authors.
Accepting biased medieval chronicle assertions (e.g. divine intervention in battles or descriptions of 'saintly' bishops) at face value without interrogating the author's political alignment or monastic origin.
Failing to account for the highly public nature of personal letters (such as Foliot's) which were specifically designed to shape regional political support.

Misconceptions

Assuming the Yorkists' triumph in 1460–61 was solely a product of Henry VI's and Margaret of Anjou's mistakes, while ignoring Yorkist propaganda, Warwick's popularity, and tactical luck.
Believing that Enrico Dandolo plotted the entire divertissement of the Fourth Crusade from the beginning, rather than recognizing it was a series of tactical escalations to recover Venice's heavy financial outlay.

Where marks are lost

In chronological drift, where candidates narrated the events of the Crusader defense rather than addressing the thematic factors of lack of Byzantine aid versus internal porous boundaries.
Failing to address the entire temporal scope of the prompt, such as discussing only 1095 for papal motives while ignoring the subsequent shift toward chivalry and monarchical penance in the late 12th century.

Estimated grade cut-off

Updated: 15 Jun 2026

Source: Pearson Edexcel

Level	Mark	Percentage
A*	174/200	87%
A	157/200	79%
B	132/200	66%
C	108/200	54%
D	84/200	42%
E	60/200	30%

Official grade boundaries published by Pearson Edexcel.

Know what the examiners want — now go get those marks

Thinka is an AI practice app used by 100,000+ DSE students to drill questions and get instant feedback on every answer. You already know the high-frequency topics and where marks are lost — now practice those specifically on Thinka and turn this analysis into actual marks.

Start Practising Free See pricing

Know what's tested? Drill those topics on Thinka — AI questions, instant marking.

Start Practising Free