Section 2: Royal Control & Expansion (13th Century) Flashcards
Who took control of Kenilworth Castle after Geoffrey de Clinton?
The Crown ? it became a royal fortress, showing it was too powerful to stay private.
Which king made major upgrades to Kenilworth Castle in the early 1200s?
King John ? not just Magna Carta misery, but castle constructor too.
What changes did King John make to the castle?
He strengthened the curtain walls, added a dam to create the Great Mere, and spent �1,100+ ? medieval megabucks!
Why did King John improve Kenilworth Castle?
He was paranoid! He needed a powerful Midlands stronghold to crush rebellion and protect his kingdom.
What is the Great Mere?
A huge artificial lake turned defensive moat ? think: ?Water wall of wow?.
What effect did the mere have on the castle?s defences?
It made the castle nearly unbreachable ? surrounded by swampy doom for attackers.
Why was water such a powerful defensive tool?
Boats for defenders, bogs for attackers. Water made it hard to tunnel or approach.
How did King John?s spending at Kenilworth compare to other castles?
He spent more here than at most others ? Kenilworth was his crown jewel of castles.
Which king continued developing the castle after John?
Henry III, who passed it to Simon de Montfort (his brother-in-law).
What happened to Kenilworth in 1266?
The Siege of Kenilworth ? longest siege in English medieval history. 6 months of mud, misery, and munching mouldy bread.
Who led the defence during the siege?
Supporters of Simon de Montfort ? after his defeat at the Battle of Evesham.
Why was the siege so important?
It showed how strong the castle was, and how far rebels would go to hold it.
What was the outcome of the siege?
Rebels surrendered under the Dictum of Kenilworth, allowing peaceful surrender with fines.
What is the Dictum of Kenilworth?
A royal deal: rebels could buy back land after rebellion ? forgiveness for a fee.
What does the siege tell us about the castle?s defences?
That Kenilworth was a fortress of fearsome force ? water, walls, and willpower made it unbeatable.
What does the castle’s role in the Barons? War show about its importance?
It was a power centre in political rebellion ? more than just a home; it was a battlefield.
What was the political context of Kenilworth?s expansion?
Ongoing struggles between monarchy and barons ? castles were the chess pieces of civil war.
How did royal control shape Kenilworth in this period?
It became a symbol of central authority ? royal investment turned it from fortress to flagship.
