12th Century (1100s)

Question 1

Which prior king inspired Henry I’s reforms and reign? (r.1100-1135)

Answer 1

• Who He Was:
  
  • Successor to his brother William II.
• Inspiration:
  
  • Admired Edward the Confessor.
  • Modeled his reforms and reign after Edward’s example.

Question 2

What was the Charter of Liberties and who issued it? (1100)

Answer 2

• A charter aimed at reducing royal abuses of power and the selling of clergy titles.
• Issued by Henry I in 1100.

Question 3

How did King Stephen of Blois contribute to civil unrest in England? (r.1135-1154)

Answer 3

• Who He Was:
  
  • Claimed the throne following Henry I’s death, sparking a civil war.
• Significance:
  
  • His reign was marked by civil war and conflict over succession, known as The Anarchy.

Question 4

What was The Anarchy, and what were its causes? (1138-1153)

Answer 4

• What It Was:
  
  • A civil war between supporters of King Stephen and those of Empress Matilda over legitimate succession to the throne.
• Causes:
  
  • Stephen’s contested claim to the throne after Henry I’s death.
  • Notably violent and chaotic period in English history.

Question 5

What was the Treaty of Wallingford and the significance of its terms?

Answer 5

• What It Was:
  
  • An agreement between King Stephen and Empress Matilda.
• Significance:
  
  • Recognized Matilda’s son, Henry II (Henry I’s grandson), as Stephen’s successor.
  • Ended The Anarchy.

Question 6

What was the White Ship Disaster, and how did it affect the English succession? (1120)

Answer 6

• What It Was:
  
  • A shipwreck that led to the death of William Adelin, the only heir to Henry I.
• Impact:
  
  • Created a succession crisis since William was Henry I’s only male heir.

Question 7

What kingdoms did Henry II solidly rule over as King as contrasted to the precarious reign of this predecessor? (r.1154-1189)

Answer 7

• Who He Was:
  
  • Succeeded Stephen after his death.
• What He Ruled:
  
  • Controlled the vast Angevin Empire.
  • Ruled all of England, parts of France, Ireland, and Wales.

Question 8

What was the Constitution of Clarendon, and how did it impact church-state relations? (1164)

Answer 8

• What It Was:
  
  • A set of legislation elevating royal control above church authority in legal matters.
• Impact:
  
  • Increased tensions between the monarchy and the Church.

Question 9

Who was Thomas Becket, and what led to his conflict with Henry II? (c.1120-1170)

Answer 9

• Who He Was:
  
  • Lord Chancellor to the king and Archbishop of Canterbury.
• Conflict:
  
  • Feuded with Henry II over the Constitution of Clarendon, which restricted religious privileges.

Question 10

What is the quote famously associated with Thomas Becket’s assassination?

Answer 10

• “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?”
  
  • Attributed to Henry II, perceived by knights loyal to him as a command; they soon after assassinate Becket.

Question 11

Who was Richard the Lionheart, and what is he chiefly remembered for? (r.1189-1199)

Answer 11

• Who He Was:
  
  • Successor following Henry II’s death.
• What He Is Remembered For:
  
  • Famous Crusader in the Third Crusades.
  • Spent much of his reign abroad, notably in the Crusades.

Question 12

When was the University of Oxford founded, and why is it significant?

Answer 12

• When It Was Founded:
  
  • Sometime in the late 12th century.
• Significance:
  
  • The oldest university in England.
  • Leading university for centuries.