The Political, Economical and Social Condition of England in 1154

Question 1

How did monarchs rule?

Answer 1

They ruled by “divine right”

Question 2

What is “divine right”?

Answer 2

The belief that monarchs were chosen by God to rule the country.

Question 3

What are itinerant kings?

Answer 3

Kings that are always on the move, travelling around the kingdom with his court

Question 4

Why are coronations important to kings?

Answer 4

They are vital in giving them legitimacy

Question 5

What is a royal writ?

Answer 5

Sealed documents giving commands.
Made by monarchs.

Question 6

How was England divided?

Answer 6

Into shires

Question 7

What did each shire have?

Answer 7

A sheriff that carried out royal writs, collected taxes and supervised justice.
Shire courts that maintained justice.

Question 8

Which church dominated England?

Answer 8

Catholic church

Question 9

Why was the Catholic church was important?

Answer 9

It was led by the pope in Rome who became more influential through Canon laws and Gratian decretals.
Huge influence over society.
They held 1/4 of all land.
Tithe tax was imposed on 10% of earnings.
Clergy was literate which was rare in England.

Question 10

What languages was spoken in England?

Answer 10

Court and nobility spoke Norman French.
Church and universities spoke Latin
Common people (peasantry) spoke English

Question 11

What was England’s economy like?

Answer 11

Overwhelmingly rural; peasants farmed the land.
Some market towns had grown since the Norman invasion.
English wool trade developed.
New class of merchants were developed.

Question 12

How was society ordered?

Answer 12

The Feudal system

Question 13

What is feudalism?

Answer 13

A system of land ownership to run the country, with the king at the top, followed by the nobility and peasants at the bottom.

Question 14

What is a demesne?

Answer 14

Land held by a lord or king for his own use and not granted out to a follower.

Question 15

What is a fiefdom?

Answer 15

Land held by a superior on condition of homage and other services (usually military)

Question 16

Who ruled England before Henry II?

Answer 16

Stephen

Question 17

Who was Stephen?

Answer 17

The son of Adela (Henry I’s sister) meaning he is Henry I’s nephew

Question 18

How did Stephen become king?

Answer 18

When Henry I died, he was at war with his daughter, Matilda and her husband Geoffrey of Anjou.
Despite this, Henry made the barons swear that Matilda would become Queen as Henry I’s original heir died in the White ship disaster.
However Matilda was rejected as Queen because it was believed only a man could rule.
As a result, Stephen was better placed as King and immediately was proclaimed King by citizens.

Question 19

When did Stephen land in England?

Answer 19

December 1135 (as soon as possible after Henry I’s death on 1st December 1135)

Question 20

Who helped Stephen become king?

Answer 20

His brother (Henry of Blois), Bishop of Winchester was perfectly placed to convince the administration and the Church to support Stephens claim

Question 21

When was Stephen coronated?

Answer 21

22nd December 1135

Question 22

What was Stephen’s personality like?

Answer 22

Weak personality
Lacked statesmanship and trust
Too lenient (Lots of illegal castles and forest laws were repealed)

Question 23

How was Stephen’s relationship with the Barons?

Answer 23

Mixed relationships
Barons were quick to tell him what to do but then were also annoyed by his actions
They switched sides to suit their needs

Question 24

How was Stephen’s relationship with the Church?

Answer 24

Roger, Bishop of Salisbury was powerful and it upset many when Stephen had him arrested and castles revoked.
This led to the loss of support of the church.
The church later refused to crown Stephen’s son - Eustace.

Question 25

What was Stephen’s royal finances like?

Answer 25

He always had money but bought support which led to loosing control of land and money.
Large swathes of England was under his control but were diminished by Matilda’s influence

Question 26

How was Stephen’s relationship with the Angevins?

Answer 26

Matilda constantly disputed the succession and always fought by setting up her own administration.
The fighting reached a stalemate when Eustace (Stephens son) died and was forced to adopt Henry II.
Stephen signed the treaty of Winchester which agreed that Henry II would be the next heir

Question 27

Who is Henry II?

Answer 27

Henry I’s grandson
Matilda and Geoffrey of Anjou’s son

Question 28

When was Henry II’s birthday?

Answer 28

March 5th 1133

Question 29

Was Henry II educated?

Answer 29

Well educated by various scholars in notable schools and by reowned tutors in France and England throughout his life

Question 30

Why did Henry come to England?

Answer 30

In 1147 and 1149, he tried to help his mother in fighting for the throne.

Question 31

When was Henry II coronated?

Answer 31

8th December 1154