1.1 The Crisis of 1399 Flashcards
How were Richard’s parents a long term cause of the 1399 crisis?
- Richard was the son of loved parents
- Father - Edward the Black Prince
- Mother - Joan of Kent - known for being a beauty ‘virgin beauty’
How old war Richard when he became king?
10 years old
How was Richard being a child king a long term cause of the 1399 crisis?
It caused tensions between John of Gaunt and Thomas of Woodstock, both prominent figures in his council at the time
How were the French attacks and high taxation a long term cause of the 1399 crisis?
The period 1377-81 saw a number of French raids on the south coast of England, increasing public hostility towards the King’s councillors
When was the Peasant’s revolt?
1381
How did the Peasant’s revolt contribute to the long term causes of the crisis in 1399?
The people despised the new poll tax and England’s lack of success in the war with France. The people blamed his ‘evil councillors’, such as John of Gaunt
How did the Black Death contribute to the long term causes of the crisis in 1399?
1347 - The Black Death caused high class tensions
- Shortage of labour meant increased wages, sot he gentry and the nobles were unhappy. In 1350, the Statute of Labourers was passed in order to keep the wages down and restrict worker mobility and the amount of time off they could have. This was bitterly resented by the people.
How did Richard’s marriage with Anne of Bohemia contribute to the long term causes of the crises of 1399?
His marriage was extremely unpopular within his court as he was demanded to pay £12,000 to marry Anne (sister of the Holy Roman Emperor). Anne also had no dowry.
The public was critical of the expensiveness of the marriage, as well as Richard’s extreme generosity towards Anne and her court.
How was Richard’s favouritism a failure of his as an adult monarch?
Richard granted power to those he favoured (such as de la Pole and de Vere). In turn he highlighted prominent figures in his court (Thomas of Woodstock)
Provide the date and explanation of the Peasants Revolt
- 1381
- Violent attacks were made on local and national leaders triggered by an unpopular poll tax
What year was Richard II crowned?
1377
What was poll tax?
A tax where each liable adult is charged the same amount regardless of wealth
Why was there tension among the leading nobles following Richard II crowning?
Because it was clear that much of the actual governing of the kingdom would have to be done by others and there were few precedents to guide them in this situation
Who were the two powerful uncles of Richard II?
John of gaunt and Thomas of Woodstock
Why was taxation unusually high in the early years of Richard II’s reign?
In order to finance military campaigns in France and Scotland
Who was blamed for the imposition of the poll tax which caused the peasants revolt in 1381?
John of gaunt
How did 14 year old Richard deal with the peasants’ revolt?
He acquitted himself in front of the thousands of insurgents and assured them he heard their complaints and would grant charters of freedom and pardon for their revolt
How did Richard eventually (actually) deal with the peasants revolt?
He witnessed the executions of a number of rebels and had formally revoked his pardons
What percentage of the population had The Black Death killed in its first outbreak in 1347?
30 - 45%
How did the Black Death lead to an increase in living conditions?
Due to an agricultural labour shortage from all the sick workers, workers could demand higher wages and use this greater wealth to finance increased leisure time, as well as better food, clothes and other consumables
What was passed in 1350?
The statute of labourers
What did the statute of labourers legally require?
Wages to be limited to pre-black death levels
When did Richard II marry Anne of Bohemia?
January 1382
Why was Richard’s financial generosity problematic?
It was disproportionate and unsustainable, leading to royal debt
Why was Richard suspected of pro-french leanings?
Because he spent much of his childhood in France, being known as Richard of Bordeaux, before he became king in 1377
When was Richard’s first campaign, designed to display his coming of age as a warrior and monarch?
1385
What happened during Richard’s first campaign in 1385?
- He led forces to Scotland
- However, he refused to fight beyond Edinburgh
- The expedition ended with a bitter quarrel between Richard and his uncle John of Gaunt
What did John of gaunt do in 1386?
He left England to pursue his claims towards the Castilian throne
What year was the Wonderful Parliament?
1386
What happened during the Wonderful Parliament?
Parliament demanded de la Pole be removed from office before they would grant taxation for the defence of the ream
How did Richard react to the Wonderful Parliament?
He refused to even discuss the matter and was warned that if he refused to attend parliament, it could dissolve itself after 40 days and no taxation would be forthcoming to help the country prepare to defend itself against the French threat
How did Richard deal with the Wonderful Parliament?
He foolishly threatened to seek help from the French to deal with his disobedient subjects. This led to Richard being threatened by the nobility that they could depose a king who alienated his people, this happened to his great-grandfather Edward II
Who were the Lords Appellant?
5 nobles who led accusations of treason against a number of Richard’s favourites in 1386
Who were the members of the Lords Appellant?
