Power in medieval Britain c1000 -c1485 Flashcards
How was the king chosen in anglo saxon times ?
Witan, a council of the richest and most important nobles
What happened in 1016?
Danish king Cnut became king of England
DiSH
What unpopular order did Aethelred issue in 1002?
That all Danes living among the English should be killed
What year did Edward the confessor inherit the throne?
1040 (eaRS) (TSRS )
What kind of a king was Edward the confessor?
He was a deeply religious man, responsible for building great churches such as Westminster abbey.
What did Edward the confessor controversially do when he came to the throne?
He appointed many of his Norman friends to key postions, such as Robert of Jumieges to the ARCHBISHOP of Canterburry.
Why did the Godwinson’s first attempt at rebellion fail in 1051?
Edward the confessor called on the Earls of Mercia and Northumbria to help him
Why were Harold and Tostig Godwinson admired?
They fought a successful campaign about the Welsh king in 1063 [JaM]
When was the Norman invasion?
1066
How did the Normans take control of England?
Castles, Network of Loyal Supporters, Law, New English Church
When did Henry II rule?
1154 to 1189 TDLRFP
Why was the church so powerful in medieval times?
Church was medieval mass media, Owned lots of lands and employed many people, Church helped people get to heaven, Church was the power behind the throne
What did Henry II do to Thomas Beckett and what was the response?
He ‘accidentally’ called for him to be murdered. Huge uproar, Beckett a martyr. Henry had to: make concessions, accept Beckett’s decisions, walk barefoot to Canturbery Cathedral and allow himself to be whipped
How did Henry I get support from the barons after he imprisoned his stronger brother Robert?
Series of concessions in the coronation Charter of 1100 [TDSS]
How many castles did Henry II seize from barons?
40, he kept 30 for himself
In 1087 how much of the land was owned by the church?
25%
How long did Henry II reign for?
1154-89 TDLRFP
Who was Thomas Beckett?
He was a chancellor for Henry II and proved helpful in restoring the mess king Stephen had made. Thomas Beckett took over from Theobald as archbishop of Canturberry. Henry thought that he would be loyal to him but he was more loyal to the church. Refusing to tax the church or appoint bishops. 1164 he was forced to flee [Share - he could not share with the king]
What concessions did Henry II have to make in 1172 for murder of thomas becket?
Compromises of Avranches
[Avalanch of C s]
When did Henry I reign?
1100-35 (MooLa)
Who was Geoffrey de Mandeville?
He was a rebellious baron during henry the second (TDLRFP). He had his lands seized in 57 but in the 60s became one of Henry’s top judges
When did John I reign?
1199-1216
What kind of man was King John?
Very suspicious, having rebelled against his brother and father he expected others to do the same to him.
How did Johns brother Richard (Lionhart) pay for his crusades and wars?
Sold many royal lands
What happened when Phillip invaded Normandy (King Johns reign)?
King John went on a disastrous campaign to try and win Normandy back. The nobles were reluctant to support him due to them not having land in France. As a result, Normandy fell to the French King.
Why did the Barons fall out with King John?
-Increased taxes
-Did not consult them on important issues
-Matilda de Braose, John claimed that her dead husband owed him 25,000. When she refused to pay he left her and her son to starve.
-He forced barons to pay when they married or to inherit
-Appointed sherif of Nottingham (Philip Mark)
What punishment did the king have for killing Beckett?
He had to walk to Canterbury Cathedral and get whipped by the monks. [Like Cersei in Game of Thrones]
Why did King John clash with the church?
In 1205 [SouL] he appointed John De Gray as Archbishop, but the pope chose Stephen Langton instead.
What did England being under Interdict mean?
Effectively excluding England from the church
No funerals or church services. The people became suspicious of King John. In 1213 [TiMe- John was running out of time]he was forced to appoint Langton
What were assizes and how were they corrupted by King John?
Courts introduced by Henry II, made justice cheap and quick. John became suspicious of Geoffrey fitz peter and insisted that cases be held by judges with him. He also began to sell justices to the highest paying noble
What was the real threat to Aethelred’s England?
Vikings
What was DANEGELD?
A payment made to vikings to save the land from being ravaged.
When did tensions between King John and the barons climax?
1215 - same year as magna carta
What were clauses; 39, 40 and 61 of the magna carta?
39 [MaP]- People should be tried by jury
40 [RaiSe]- The king is not allowed to ‘sell justices
61 [ShaT]- Council of 25 barons set up to make sure king respects law
Why was magna carta important?
Many of the barons and kings had worked together in the past but the Magna Carta made this a formal contract. Furthermore, it made the king subject to the law.
When was the term parliament first used?
1230’s and 40’s during the reign of Henry III
What did Henry III ask his barons for money for?
Church building and oversee’s wars
Why did Henry III upset his barons?
Gave his French relatives important jobs and valuable estates
In 1258 a group of barons went to the king at the time and demanded reforms. What were these called?
Provisions of Oxford [TNLF in Oxford]
Who was the leader of the rebel barons who met with Henry III
Simon De Montfort
What were the Provisions of Oxford?
The king must defer to 24 advisors- 12 elected by barons 12 elected by the king. This council was responsible for a privy council of 15 men who supervised lots. A parliament would meet 3 times a year to supervise the performance of these councils
What was Simon De Montfords popularity like with the wealthiest barons?
Not very good. This enabled Henry III to gather some footing against him.
When was the battle of Lewes and what happened?
1264 [Chair - throne ], the king Henry III was captured and the country became under de montfords rule.
Who was Simon De Montfort popular with?
The knights, the gentry and the merchants and trade people.
What did Simon De Montford ask each borough to do in 1265?
He asked them to send 2 representatives
What was the impact of Simon De Montfort on Henry III?
He continued to summon parliament up to his death in 1272
What parliament did Edward I call in 1295?
Model Parliament
What year did Richard II become king and how old was he?
1377 [DMKK - Dirty Messy Kid King ]
Age -10
True or false, John of Gaunt was Richard II’s protector?
False, he wasn’t trusted so a council of Barons was set up instead.
When was the Peasents revolut and what was it about?
1381[peasants are not FaT]
It was about high levels of taxation due to war with France. Many rebels were higher up members of society
Why did higher up members of society join in with the peasants revolt?
Resented behaviour of royal officials. Additionally, they were unhappy about foreign traders and who should be mayor of London.
Who led the rebel army in 1381 [Richard II] and what happened to him and the rebel army ?
Wat Tyler. He met with the young king who promised to show mercy, but he was killed afterwards. Furthermore, Richard went onto kill 5000 rebels who he promised not to harm.
Why did Richard II’s relationships with the barons decline in 1380s?
He started promoting men from humble origin to power. Michael de la Pole of Sussex was one.
What happens in 1386?
[FaG for date. The king would get smoked]
Possible invasion from France. Richard asks parliament for money they decline unless he fires de poole
Which earls demanded that the chancellor should be sacked [Richard II]? What was the result?
Gloucester and Arundel
War between king and rebels, king lost and forced to execute several close allies. Michael de la pole flee’s the country.
How did Richard II begin to have revenge?
He gained trust with the noble families
Which barons did Richard II arrest as revenge and when?
1397- BaKe [Barons baked in an oven]
Gloucester, Arundel and Warwick
What happened to each baron when they were arrested:
1) Arundel
2) Gloucester
3) Warwick?
1) Tried and executed
2) Murdered before trial
3) Imprisoned
How did Richard II get Henry Bolingbrook and Mowbray away?
He exiled both of them over a quarrel they had. Henry challenged Mowbray to a duel of honour
What did Richard II do when John of Jaunt died?
He seized inheritance which would be Bolingbrook’s
How did Henry Bolingbrooke seize England when Richard II was away?
He convinced Percy family of Northumberland to help him. When Richard returned in 1399 [200 years after king John] he was captured
What case did Henry Bolingbrook make to seize the throne?
He claimed that the king was unfit to rule. Then, he argued his descent from Edward III through male relatives gave him a stronger claim
What did cnut do to keep england stable?
Divides it into four great earldoms. Wessex was one of them, owned by Godwinson.
Describe the route of the throne after cnut’s death.
Went to Cnut’s son Harold and then to Harthacnut and then to Edward (the confessor)
Why did King John have to give in and make Stephen Langton archbishop?
Pope Innocent III interdict (like john wick) and he threatens to offer his support to the French King for invasion