The Anarchy (1136-1154)

Question 1

Type of war

Answer 1

• civil war, rebellion

Question 2

Examples

Answer 2

• feudalism fails (monarchs and barons disagree) leads to war
• Henry I dies in 1135; convinced barons to accept Matilda, but she was in France when he died/was pregnant; her return was delayed, so her cousin Stephen, the richest baron, seized the throne.
• both fought for control of castles/barons; Matilda beat Stephen in 1141;although she captured him, his supporters continued to fight and beat Matilda; Stephen escaped and became king

Question 3

Attitudes and responses

Answer 3

• high taxes

Question 4

Impact on people

Answer 4

• direct, indirect
• people were being taxed, as barons decided it was a good chance to make money as Stephen was trying to win over barons, because he’s not the rightful monarch
  -> broken idea of feudalism

Question 5

Impact on government

Answer 5

• Lawlessness breaks out; society does not work effectively well.
• Stephen went too far trying to gain barons’ approval and relaxed strict feudal laws.
  —>monarchy gets weaker
• Stephen promoted 30 barons to earl.
• some barons took advantage of problem and made themselves more powerful/wealthy by stealing other lords’ property