3.2: Significant Historical Figures and Their Times 1 Flashcards
Who was William the Conqueror? And what were his legacies?
William the Conqueror, from Normandy
1066: Defeated Harold the II in the battle of Hastings.
Legacies:
- Influences on the English language
- Feudal system
- Domesday Book
WHY was the Domesday Book used?
Domesday book (1086) was used to tax people; invasions were, of course, expensive. It also resolved disputes amongst barons over land ownership.
Through the Domesday Book, people’s possessions became clear.
WHAT is the Domesday Book?
- A complete written record of property ownership across England (North not much!)
- Castles, mills, farms, sheep, oxen, meadow, woodland
- The Great Survey
- Reminded people of the final Day of Judgement (Domesday / Day of Doom)
WHY is the Domesday Book important?
Important because:
* Contains valuable historical information – geography, demographic situation
* Insight into the feudal system
* Shows how society functioned at that time
What was King John like?
Dubbed the “worst English King”.
Short, fat, cruel, greedy, and even excommunicated by the Pope
Why was King John unpopular with the people?
Due to heavy taxation he inned to execute wars in Normandy to retain land there. However, the people did not agree with this price because he often lost, and therefore took their money repeatedly.
The Magna Carta (What is it?)
Latin for: The Great Charter
Barons revolted against King John
Runnymede, 1215, was when it was signed
They forced king John to sign the document
The Magna Carta: Content
Rules& Regulations about taxation
Right to justice and free trial (for all free folk)
Most important: EVERYONE IS SUBJECT TO THE LAW; EVEN THE KING
What did the Magna Carta symbolise + trials
- Considered the first form of a written constitution
- Failure at that time; King John and Pope declared the document void
- Reissued multiple times in later years
- 4 copies still exist!
Other developments in Medieval Britain: Extension
Extension of the British territory
1170: Strongbow (Anglo-Norman baron) helped an Irish king. Received land in Ireland as a thank-you.
1284: Conquest of Wales by Edward I → The Prince of Wales. From then on: Wales was a part of England
Other developments in Medieval Britain: Government
Powerful Monarch + “Parliament”
Other developments in Medieval Britain: BD
Black Death - Circa. 1350
- First wave
- Killed 1/3 of British population
- Weakened feudal system
Medieval Times: Description
Middle Ages: 1066 – 1485
* Powerful Monarchy and ‘Parliament’
* Feudal system of landholding
* Extension of English territory
* Eastern part of Ireland (Strongbow)
* 1284: Conquest/Annexation of Wales → The
Prince of Wales
Medieval Wars: The Hundred Years war
- 1337 – 1453 (116 years) France vs England
- Right to rule the kingdom of France
- William the Conqueror: lands in Normandy
- England lost
Hundred Years’ War: Results
- Weakened the prestige of the English Monarchy
- Socio-economic troubles
- Unrest among the nobles.
- Lead to the Wars of the Roses
Wars of the Roses: Lead-up
DURATION: 1455 - 1485
* Power struggle for the right to the English crown
* House of York vs. the House of Lancaster (both descendants from the Plantagenets)
* King Henry VI: mental breakdown in 1453
* Richard, Duke of York, was installed as Lord
Protector as he felt he had a better claim to the throne.
* Powerful barons pick their sides.
Wars of the Roses: Info + Final stages of the War
- Alternating Yorkist and Lancastrian Kings
- Final stages of the war:
- House of York: Richard III (white rose) vs. House of Lancaster: Henry Tudor (red rose)
- 1485: Battle of Bosworth Field
- Richard III was defeated and killed
- Henry Tudor is crowned Henry VII: This is the End of the Medieval Period
Wars of the Roses: Colours and Symbolisation
House of Lancaster: Red Rose
House of York: White Rose
Tudor Dynasty: White at center, red at the ends of leaves. (Combination of York and Lancaster roses)
Start of the Tudor Dynasty + Roses
- Henry VII married Elizabeth of York: uniting the Lancastrian and Yorkist Houses
- Start of the Tudor Dynasty
- Roses are combined to form the Tudor Rose
Exam Question: Explain what the Hundred Years’ War was about.
The Hundred Years’ War lasted approximately 116 years between England and France about the right to the French throne. Also, the
English wanted to retain the French (Normandy) lands owned by William the Conqueror. (England lost this war)
Exam Question: What were the wars of the roses? Your answer should include the parties
involved, their symbols and the consequence of the outcome of the final battle
The Wars of the Roses were a series of battles fought between the House of York and the House of Lancaster, who both had a rose as
their family symbol. Lancaster sported a red rose and York favoured the white rose. Both had a claim to the throne because of their
connection to the Plantagenet family. The war ended at the battle of Bosworth Field where Henry Tudor defeated and killed Richard III.
After this he was crowned Henry VII.
Exam Question: What is the Tudor Dynasty? Explain the origins.
The Tudor Dynasty was named for its founding father Henry the 7th/Henry Tudor. His family ruled for 118 years. After being crowned
king, he made a smart political move by marrying Elizabeth of York, effectively uniting the quarrelling houses of York and Lancaster and starting the Tudor dynasty. Both roses were combined to form the Tudor Rose.
The Tudor Dynasty: Duration and extra info
1485-1603: 118 years long rule
Monarchs:
Henry Tudor (VII-7th) > Henry VIII (8th)
Henry VIII (8th) > Edward VI, Mary I, Elizabeth I
About Henry Tudor (VII-7th)
- Won the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485
- First monarch of the Tudor Dynasty
- Good king
- Strengthens the central government, reduces the power of the nobles
- Builds up the country’s financial reserves.
- Arranges a political union between his eldest son Arthur and Catherine of Aragon (from Spain) → Catholic powers united.
- When Arthur dies, Henry VIII has to marry the widow.
