The nature of Kingship Flashcards
How was the authority of a king displayed during his coronation?
He was crowned in front of the most important nobles and members of the clergy.
What did it mean for a king to have “divine authority”?
From the moment he was anointed with holy oils at his coronation, he had rights to do almost whatever he wanted. God had chosen him so his subjects couldn’t question him.
What 4 domestic duties was a king expected to perform?
- Be a strong and firm ruler to earn loyalty and respect.
- Control his kingdom and enforce justice fairly..
- Keep his kingdom safe from internal and external threats.
- Support and respect the Church.
In what four ways did a king display his power and majesty to his people throughout his reign?
- Coronation
- Crown wearings
- Public feasts
- Itinerant kingship
Define itinerant kingship. Why was it important?
This was where the king regularly travelled around the country, meeting barons, nobles and bishops. This helped the king to build relationships with his nobles by meeting with them and staying in their castles. It also helped ordinary people to know what the king looked like.
Define succession.
The sequence by which one person follows another to inherit a throne, title or some land.
Define primogeniture.
The principle by which the eldest son inherits his father’s land and title, e.g. king.
Describe the relevance of primogeniture in Medieval times.
In the 11th century, the Normans introduced primogeniture. However, by the late 12th century, it still hadn’t been fully established. People were often chosen to be king for other reasons.
