Kingship and Succession

Question 1

Describe rights of Kings (3)

Answer 1

1. After the coronation the King had almost unlimited rights to act as he wanted
2. He could make laws on whatever he wanted
3. King was expected to fulfil certain duties in order to govern and protect his people

Question 2

Describe display (2)

Answer 2

1. To maintain authority a medieval king needed to display power by showing himself to his people
2. King travelled around the country meeting barons, nobles and bishops (itinerant kingship)

Question 3

Name duties expected of the King (4)

Answer 3

1. Law-maker - King consulted with leading barons in making laws to ensure they were fair
2. Decision-maker - King expected to govern fairly and make policy decisions that benefit people
3. Christian - King had been chosen by God and expected to behave like a Christian
4. Protector - King in charge of army and expected to have military strategy and skills to lead effectively

Question 4

Name 2 rituals..

Answer 4

1. Coronation

2. Crown-wearings

Question 5

Describe coronation… (4)

Answer 5

1. King crowned at West Minister Abbey
2. Anointed with ‘holy oil’ to show he was made King by God
3. King took oath to swear to protect the Church and act with justice and mercy
4. Tenants in chief then swore homage to the King

Question 6

Describe crown-wearings… (3)

Answer 6

1. 3 times a year the king took part in crown-wearing ceremonies
2. Took place in important cathedrals
3. It enforced the message that the King had been chosen by God

Question 7

Character and qualities of Richard I (3)

Answer 7

1. Charismatic
2. Great soldier
3. Could be disloyal

Question 8

Describe how power was secured (6)

Answer 8

1. Making peace with those who fought against him while his father was alive
2. appeasing those with other strong claims to the throne
3. Agreeing William the Lion did not have to do homage to him in return for William abandoning claims to northern England
4. Putting loyal men in charge in his absence
5. Winning support of barons by restoring land to nobles who had been disinherited by Henry II
6. Treating nobles and knights with courtesy

Question 9

Describe the death of Richard I (3)

Answer 9

1. March 1199 Richard was badly wounded while fighting in France
2. Nephew Arthur claimed he should be King as the eldest son inherits (primogeniture)
3. Following those rules Arthur would inherit before John as Arthur was a son of an older brother

Question 10

Name the character and qualities of John (3)

Answer 10

1. Hard-working
2. Could be cruel
3. Experienced in warfare

Question 11

What were John’s two nicknames…

Answer 11

1. Lackland

2. Softsword

Question 12

Describe how John secured power (5)

Answer 12

1. Acting quickly and being crowned King on 27th May
2. Show religious devotion by visiting Canterbury and Bury St Edmunds
3. Leaving England to be run by men who had governed under Richard whilst fighting for land in France
4. Securing support of Count Angouleme by marrying his daughter and persuading Count of Anjou to switch sides
5. Driving back Philip II and making peace in May 1200 at Le Goulet

Question 13

Describe the Treaty of Le Goulet (4)

Answer 13

1. Philip recognised John as King of Angevin Empire
2. John gave Philip some land in Normandy
3. Arthur remained Duke of Brittany but did homage to John for this
4. John agreed to do homage to Philip for his land in France and pay an enormous fine for the inheritance of this land

Question 14

Describe the murder of Prince Arthur (5)

Answer 14

1. John’s army captured Arthur in August 1202
2. Arthur imprisoned in chains which went against the chivalric code
3. Arthur disappeared and John was blamed for his murder
4. Many of John’s supporters in France switched sides
5. Lead to John losing Normandy completely