Magna Carta and medieval Society Flashcards
How many people in England in 1215?
Between 2-5 million
How many people in England were Freeman?
About 10%
What was a villien?
Someone who is not a freeman and who is tied to the land
How many people lived in rural areas?
90%
How many new towns were created between 1180-1230?
57
Were people who lived in the towns part of the feudal system?
Not normally
Dense forest covered most of the country in 1215, what was it covered by?
Forest Law which was introduced to keep the interests of the hunters of high birth and was introduced by William the Conqueror
What was a shire?
An administrative region of the UK which was overseen by a sheriff
How was the economy in 1215?
It was good as the wool trade in Flanders meant that many people had a good income (certainly better than most of Europe)
Which city did London take over the capital title from?
Winchester
What factor led to easier credit in 13th century?
Jewish migration
What was invented in 1185 and helped with the development of power?
The Windmill in 1185
When was London Bridge built and what did it do?
Between 1176-1208
Made travel around the capital easier and therefore eased trade etc.
What surprising subject did Oxford university teach in 1200’s?
Business skills
What did Macfarlane claim that the people of England were in 13th century?
‘economically rational, market orientated’
What created a huge need for money by John and Richard?
The wars in France
The Crusades
Inflation doubled and nearly trebled in 1100’s, when did it peak?
1205
What happened to wheat prices between 1200-1207?
They doubled
How powerful was the church in 1215?
Very powerful with many estates and riches
William the Conqueror had built many abbeys and churches and developed the Parish system
Was Britain a christian nation in 1215?
Mainly yes, they had been converted under the Romans and Augustine in 597 AD
How much of the land of Britain did the church hold?
25%
What disagreements did John have with the Pope?
They disgreed over who had the power to appoint senior officials (John wasn’t keen on Stephen Langton) and the pope banned services in 1207 and John was ex-communicated in 1209
How were women under protection in 1215?
They were under the protection of their fathers, husband or Lord
What is coveture?
When a womens identity is subsumed into a mans upon marriage
What did John do in 1199 regarding women?
He divorced his first wife Isabella in 1199 and married 12 year old Isabella of Angouleme in 1200
What dynasty was John part of?
Angevin dynasty which was started under William the Conqueror in 1066
What lands did John inherit in 1199?
Lands from Hadrians wall well into France
What language did the Angevin kings speak?
French and Latin. John spoke English.
They were expected to crusade
Did the British kings have more land than the kings of France?
Yes
When was John defeated by the King of France?
1204 initially
What was the battle of bouvines?
1214 and it was where John was finally defeated and humiliated about lack of ability to get the French lands back
Was there a parliament in 1215?
No, the king could call the council of advisors called the Witan (which were landowners and the Barons/possibly from the church)
Where is Runnymeade?
On the south bank of the Thames, between two ancient kingdoms of surrey and mercia.
Who owned Runnymeade in 1215?
Chertsey Abbey
How was Runnymeade strategically a good location?
It was wet and boggy (therefore prevents attacks), restricted access from East and West. Surprise attacks were less likely
What is the Ankerwycke Yew Tree?
Located in Runnymeade Thought to be the Axis Mundi (place for pagans where heavans and earth meet) King Alfred held his Witanagemot here Where Henry Viii courted Anne Bolyean Half way between windsor and staines
Who said ‘there is no doubt that Jon was a very bad king’ and ‘ ‘This was a king whose promises could not be trusted’
Vincent
Why was John nicknamed Swoftsword?
Becuase he was a bad warrior
Why was John nicknamed Lackland?
Becuase he didnt have any land and Richard refused to give him any of this
Who was Prince Arthur?
He was the son of one of Johns brothers who was named as sucessor to Richard. He was killed in 1199 by John and possibly William de Broase
Who did John torture?
Maud St Valery and her son, wife of William de Braose
Did John introduced progressive taxes?
Yes
Who was Phillip II of France?
He was king of France and a fearsome warrior. The lands of Eleanor of Aquitaine/Henry II built up were fragile
Was John a Godless king?
No, he was very generous and gave many lands and monies to the church
How many words long is the Magna Carta?
4500
What language is the MC written in?
Latin
How many MC survive today?
4
How many clauses does MC have?
63
