Power and the people Flashcards
How was the medieval society structured
Built on feudal system meaning King ruled the country but granted land to nobles (barons) who provided services in return e.g. loyalty and maintaining law and order
How did people expect King John to be
Strong and a good leader like his father however he was actually a poor leader of war
What caused the Magna Carta to be created
John caused unrest among barons by raising taxes to pay for wars, in return they presented a list of demands (m.c)
What were the main demands of the Magna Carta and how did John respond
Mainly about taxation and unfair unrest, he refused to accept demands and went to civil war and barons won
When was the Magna Carta signed
1215
How was the Magna Carta significant in the short term
Didn’t solve problem as he went back on his word however the fact that these issues were raised shows barons were thinking about their human rights
How was the Magna Carta significant in the long term
As more people became free, it applied to more people, it became a symbol of peoples power and was often referred back to
Relationship between Henry (successor of John) and Simon De Montfort
1232 Simon made promise of loyalty to Henry and faught wars on his behalf, Henry put him on trial several times for his actions but let him off
What led to Simon capturing the King and his son
Henry refused to sign the provisions of Oxford (requested by Simon) which would’ve let the barons have more power over decision making. As a result the Barons wanted a civil war against the King and Simon agreed, they captured the king
How did Simon De Montfort die
Simon was effectively in charge but many thought him too powerful and turned against him, to raise support he started the great council but barons angry as he didn’t ask their permission. Barons switched sides and Simon killed in battle of Evesham
Significance of Simon De Montfort
His parliament was first to include commoners which encouraged Henry to do the same
Became a symbol of democratic principles that were more fully realised hundreds of years later
What caused the peasants revolt
Richard II introduced poll tax meaning everyone had to pay 1 shilling 4 pence for their house in tax and in 1381 villager is Kent and Essex attacked a tax collector after refusing to pay the tax
What did the rebels do after attacking the tax collector
20,000 peasants rebelled and freed rebel priest John Ball from prison and asked Wat Tyler to be leader.
They burned records, attacked clerks and killed the archbishop of canterbury
What happened when the rebels reached London
They continued burning things down
Tyler met with the King and demanded for all men to be free and equal but was killed by a supporter of the King
To prevent riot, the King agreed but went back on his word
When was the peasants revolt
1381
Significance of the peasants revolt
First time commoners had rebelled against royal powers, scaring King and his nobles
Peasants were never taxed so heavily again and wage continued to rise
What caused the Pilgrimage of Grace
Henry VIII angry with pope for refusing his divorce so set up on church of England and stopped paying the pope taxes, dissolved monasteries and sold monastery land to the gentry limiting church’s power and making Henry rich
What did the people do in response to Henry VIII
1536 uprising in Lincolnshire led by Lawyer Robert Aske, called a pilgrimage as it was peaceful. they demanded England return to Catholicism, 8000 pilgrims captured towns
What did Henry do in response to the Pilgrimage
Sent Catholic Duke to negotiate, assuring them the King would listen and invited Aske to his house, rebels went home.
Jan 1537 northern uprising so as a warning 74 rebels hanged and Aske executed
Significance of the Pilgrimage of Grace
No more religious rebellions took place during Henry’s reign and Henry now had full control of the country (absolute monarch)
When was the Pilgrimage of Grace
1536
Religious causes of the English civil war
Strong anti-Catholic mood in country after Henry
Many accused Charles of trying to unite Catholics and Protestants after new Catholic prayer book introduced
Also accused of favouring Catholics as he was married to one
Political causes of the English civil war
Charles believed in Divine right so didn’t call parliament for 11 years, was forced to call it in 1640 to raise taxes to fund wars against the Scots who opposed new prayer book
Economical causes of the English civil war
MPs didn’t trust Charles as he’d raised taxes without parliament for long time so demanded parliament take control of the army. They drew up the Grand Remonstrance of complaints and demands
What was ship money
A way for Charles to make money. He was entitled to impose ship money on coastal countries during time of war to help protect them and pay for the navy
What problems did ship money cause
Many refused to pay, causing unrest, those who refused were sent untried to prison e.g. John Hampden
What did parliament demand from Charles
Abolition of ship money, parliaments control of army and parliament being the only ones able to dissolve parliament, also grand remonstrance (204 clauses)
