Government, The Rights Of King And People

Question 1

What was the power of the King?

Answer 1

The king could grant land in exchange for: loyalty, fighting wars, paying taxes, keeping country safe
Spread land across country to stop people being powerful in one area, unless on border so it’d prevent Scotland or Wales from getting in
In turns baron gave land to their knights, where peasants would work on it and get the Knight wealth and the knight would fight for baron or protect his castle

Question 2

What was the Church like?

Answer 2

It was a powerful and wealthy landowner
The king and many barons granted money to build churches e,t,c
Many of King’s advisers were churchmen as they could read and write
Many monasteries tended to ill as monks were good at dealing with disease

Question 3

What was Agriculture like?

Answer 3

Population of England was 4.75 by 1272
Most people worked/lived in countryside and most wealth depended in sheep and wool trade made many rich
They traded with much of Europe

Question 4

What were towns like?

Answer 4

Towns were growing - 10,000 in London, 5,000 in York and Lincoln e.t.c
Illness was more of a risk as it spread easily
Craftsmen and merchants lived in towns
Groups of craftsmen became quite powerful, restricting number of apprenticeships to keep wages high

Question 5

What did most people eat?

Answer 5

Poverty: Bread and pottage (stew made from beans, peas, oats and sometimes meat)
Rabbit and chicken were sometimes eating but harsh penalties for poaching
Bad harvest meant not a lot of good food
Better-off people ate a lot of meat

Question 6

How did Henry 111 have a bad reputation with Barons?

Answer 6

He had been defeated by Simon De Montfort and an army of his barons at the Battle of Lewes in 1264, capturing Henry
However, his son had managed to defeat them and put Henry 111 back in the throne

Question 7

How did he treat them at first?

Answer 7

Very harshly.
He gave the lands of 316 rebels to 133 individuals who had supported him
This however, worried Edward that it might start a rebellion

Question 8

How did Edward start to treat the rebels?

Answer 8

He was more merciful
He forgave some barons if they laid down their arms rather than fight
Most were able to get their land back through redemption by paying money which could cost from 2-7years wages
This money to pay redemption could be borrowed of King or Jewish money lenders

Question 9

How was this redemption payment beneficial for the King?

Answer 9

It ensured that the King had support from his barons and he could ask to pay back their debt all in one go

Question 10

How did Henry get involved in Crusades?

Answer 10

He had promised to go on a crusade in the 1250s but never did as he was either short of money or not in a string enough position to leave the country for long enough
But by the late 1260s, he saw a crusade as a way to restore unity to the country

Question 11

What did Henry hope about this crusade?

Answer 11

That if former rebels and supporters of Henry went on this crusade then they would forget their differences
However The plan didn’t really work

Question 12

How did it not really work?

Answer 12

Edward went on Crusade in 1270 and a few former rebels joined him, but most couldn’t accompany him as they could of afford to leave the country due to their redemption payments

Question 13

However, what was one good thing?

Answer 13

The fact that Edward was even able to go on crusade, showed that the country had become more stable by 1270

Question 14

What was Henry’s relationship with Parliament?

Answer 14

In 1267, the clergy voted 1/20th of their income as tax to the King
In 1270, the other non-clergy members did otherwise
These votes gave Henry financial stability but they were only granted if Henry agreed to act on some of Parliament’s grievances

Question 15

However, why did Edward need to step in again?

Answer 15

There still wasn’t enough money to fund the crusade so Edward had to borrow from King Philip of France and the Pope

Question 16

What was Henry’s relationship with Wales?

Answer 16

There was finally peace between England and Wales after conflict
In The Treaty of Montgomery 1267, Henry recognised Llywelyn ap Gruffudd as the Prince of Wales, providing LLypaid homepage to him
This ended a long running conflict

Question 17

How was Royal authority restored when Edward succeeded the throne?

Answer 17

When Henry died in 1272, Edward’s succession was assured and no one opposed him
Edward was away in crusade when his Dad died but he didn’t rush home and took two years to return.
This showed he felt Authority was secure

Question 18

Who was Edward 1st?

Answer 18

He was born in 1239
He spoke French, Anglo-Norman, Latin and English
He married Eleanor of Castile in 1254 and was given lands by his father and knighted by his father in law

Question 19

What was Edward’s relationship with his father like?

Answer 19

Henry kept a tight reign on the lands he gave to Edward which left Edward sort of money
He had a difficult relationship with his father, as he always wanted more money, Authority and control over his own affairs
Sometimes he sided with his Father’s opponents

Question 20

What was Edward’s character like?

Answer 20

He was a swaggering youth, selfish and arrogant
He spent much time and money with Knights
He changed his mind frequently

Question 21

What were Edward’s actions in the civil war?

Answer 21

In 1256, he played a part in defeating a welsh rebellion
The civil Wars if 1264 - 65 enhanced Edward’s reputation as a leader and emerged very powerful
In 1268, he was made Steward of England by his father due to the part he played in running the country

Question 22

What were Edward’s religious beliefs?

Answer 22

He was deeply religious
As he was crossing the channel, it was very rough and dangerous.
He prayed to God and promised he would found a religious house in thanks to God if he survived - Cistercian Abbey

Question 23

What did Edward do on his Coronation?

Answer 23

He was crowned on the 19th August 1274 in Westminster Abbey
Edward is said to of removed his crown and promised he wouldn’t wear it again until he’d recovered the lands given away by his father.
He was observed to of been energetic, generous and triumphant
Expectations were high, especially after his father’s bad Authority previously

Question 24

What did Edward immediately do when he returned to England?

Answer 24

He decided to investigate the abuses of power and encroachment or royal rights
He replaced most of the sheriffs as many had abused their position
One sheriff conspired with the keeper of York prison to extract illegal payments of a man by torturing him

Question 25

What did Edward think removing corrupt criminals would do?

Answer 25

It would encourage people to bring forward their complaints and so he sent out commissionaires all around the county to ask people a long list of 50 questions to do with royal landownings

Question 26

Why did Edward do this?

Answer 26

He wanted to know what he owned, what rights he had, what customs were due to him and where rights have been taken from, Other s Also wanted to know about landownership and feudal rights since landownership often gave power to hold courts and collect tolls which could be come corrupt Edward wanted to enforce a good government

Question 27

What were the Hundred Rolls?

Answer 27

They were complaints that were delivered to London and put together This happened again in 1279 but they didn’t result in a lot of change

Question 28

Who is Robert Burnell?

Answer 28

One of Edward’s most important officials | He was born to a ‘middling family’ and he became a priest as it was one of the best ways to get an education at the time

Question 29

How is Robert close with Edward?

Answer 29

In the 1250s, Robert was employed into Prince Edward’s household and was one of five people that Edward trusted to run his affairs sheik in crusade When Edward returned, he was made Chancellor and was always by Edward’s side when important decisions were made He was completely trusted by Edward

Question 30

Why was Burnell very efficient?

Answer 30

He reorganised the workings of the Chancellory which kept a tighter trace of paperwork He was the driving force between the Hundred Rolls and was the lead writer of the Statute of Westminster, He was responsible for ensuring important parts of government stayed in London and listened to complaints/tried to act in them People wanting access to the asking could take up the matter with Robert

Question 31

How was he used for diplomacy?

Answer 31

He went to Paris 1286 to meet with the King of France to sort out problems Edward had over paying homage to the French King in exchange for his lands in Gascony He was also sent by Edward to Gascony to reorganise Government there

Question 32

How was he extremely Rich?

Answer 32

By the time he died in 1292, he owned 82 manors in 19 countries He traded debts to knights and even loaned money to the King He was awarded multiple livings by Edward and was made priest of several parishes He would collect income from each parishes but paid a small fee to take all their services from him -it made a lot of money but was against Church Law

Question 33

How was Robert an important figure?

Answer 33

In 1269, Edward granted Burnell the bikini to hold a weekly market and two annual fairs He was also made the Bishop of Bath and Wells in 1275 In 1270 and 1278, Edward tried to make him Archbishop of Canterbury On each occasion, Edward failed to persuade the pope due to Burnells’ morals. Also, he wasn’t celibate and had many illegitimate children with a mistress

Question 34

When did he die?

Answer 34

He died in 1292 and his body was buried in the nave of Wells Cathedral

Question 35

How does Acton Burnell Castle reflect Robert Burnell’s life?

Answer 35

The Burnell family had lived in Acton Burnell from the 1180s and Robert inherited half the manor In 1284, Edward let him fortify the new, larger home he was building and was give 12 trees from the royal forest to help build it The new castle was built from sandstone and built to reflect Burnell’s importance as a Church was built beside the castle It was made from best materials using best masons as Burnell was rich Edward frequently visited the castle and it soon became central to Edward’s plan to conquer wales

Question 36

What was the design for the caste?

Answer 36

It’s actually more of a fortified Manor House and was designed for comfort rather than for defence It reflects the fact that in England, life was thought to be much more settled and much less need for strong walls Parliament met here many times but was unfinished when Burnell died

Question 37

When did Edward call his First parliament and who came?

Answer 37

He called it in Westminster in April 1275 and it was one of the biggest parliaments of the medieval period 800 were invited and as well as the usual earls, barons, knights, bishops and abbots, Edward invited two burgesses (people with property rights in a town) from each town and two knights from each shire

Question 38

Why did he invite so many people?

Answer 38

Edward wanted a tax on merchants to help pay off his crusading debts He also wanted as many people as possible to be aware of his first major piece of legislation The Statute of Westminster

Question 39

What did the Stature of Westminster do?

Answer 39

It originally dealt with the abuses of the Hundred Rolls, that people had discovered and had 51 chapters, highlighting the issues brought to the King’s attention since he first arrived in England E.g. dealing with unwanted guests(in religious houses), tolls, abuse of wardship and purveyance (king taking goods to support himself/army) Free elections and how sheriffs must act honestly

Question 40

What were many of the complaints about?

Answer 40

Corrupt officials, abuses of law, unfair treatment before the law and treatment of criminals

Question 41

What was one of the key provisions introduced?

Answer 41

The ‘Hue and Cry’ It was where ever man in a neighbourhood must be prepared to peruse felons if the Hue and Cry was raised A whole range of measures where targeted at sheriffs e,t,c to ensure a good government

Question 42

What did everyone present at Parliament have to do and what did people have to do with the statute?

Answer 42

Give their approval to its consent | The statute also had to be read allowed in ever local court, market places and anywhere else

Question 43

What was the Quo Warranto ?

Answer 43

The 1278 Quo Warranto asked landowners to prove they had the right to land or dues they claimed

Question 44

What was this followed by?

Answer 44

In 1285, officials demanded to see the charter by which such land had been granted The Earl of Gloucester is said to of had a brandished sword claiming it has come to England with his ancestors and his lands were given to him after the conquest and that was enough proof However, many couldn’t prove ownership and lost liberties and customs they previously had

Question 45

What was the Statutes of Mortmain?

Answer 45

The crown was deeply in debt | So, in 1279 and 1290, the statutes of Mortmain tried to prevent land passing to the Church without the King’s consent?

Question 46

How would this attempt to raise money?

Answer 46

The church owned 30% of land in England as many landowners were granting their land to the Church and receiving it back to use in their lifetime to avoid paying taxes As the church didn’t lay due to the King to inherit land, when the owner died, it meant Edward lost possible taxes The statute of Mortmain was intended to close this legal loophole which Edward saw as landowners depriving him of feudal rights

Question 47

What did the Statute of Westminster in 1285 do?

Answer 47

It further addressed grievances brought to the King’s notice including fishing for salmon out of season It aimed to make people safer e.g. allowing the clearing of trees, criminals couldn’t hide before attacking travellers Further provisions dealt with rape and carrying nuns away from their abode with 50 provisions in total This showed Edward was listening and addressing concerns

Question 48

What was the Statute of Merchants?

Answer 48

The statute of merchants aimed to deal with the issue of debt between two merchants The person that owed money was liable to having goods seized or imprisoned if they didn’t pay debt This was in response to an increasing number of problems involving large-scale trade, usually in wool or wine over long distances

Question 49

Why did people complain about London Bridge?

Answer 49

In 1274, the leaders of the City of London complained about London Bridge to Edward It was in a poor state as the taxes and rents that were raised from the houses and businesses on the bridge, were supposed to go to the upkeep of the bridge However, Henry 111 awarded them to his wife Eleanor and she diverted the money to her own personal income

Question 50

How did he respond?

Answer 50

He had a big row with his mother Eleanor and she was force to relinquish her right to collect payments from the bridge Edward was determined to be seen as fair rather than favouriting to his family as his father had done He also awarded the Corporation the right to collect tolls to cross the bridge which funded rebuilding costs

Question 51

What was Parliament like under Edward’s rule?

Answer 51

They met twice a year and it was often composed of whoever was around at the time a decision needed to be made Meetings at Xmas and Easter were larger and eventually the principle evolved that the King should ask for advise when major decisions needed to be made This led to specially-convened meetings of Parliament where the King would listen to advice

Question 52

What was Parliament like originally?

Answer 52

Agendas were fluid and there was no formal records kept at the time Business was whatever the crown found convenient at the time Most discussions with Edward were about granting taxes to pay off debts or to fund crusades and normally it was hard to persuade parliament to give this tax unless grievances were expressed in return

Question 53

How were most grievances presented?

Answer 53

As petitions They might be from individuals or from groups of merchants or towns The response of parliament might change the law or interpret the law so most people thought parliament should make the laws

Question 54

What would Edward often use Parliament as?

Answer 54

A place to try out ideas as using the response of Parliament would show him the impact on the country as a whole Many of Edward’s actions of trying to restore royal authority were met with strong responses but he maintained that he had the right to re-assert royal prerogative (being royal was exclusively his right)

Question 55

Who were always summoned to parliament and who did Edward invite?

Answer 55

Always: Earls, barons and bishops Edward invited: burgesses from towns and knights from shires (known together as ‘commons’) when he wanted approval to put a tax down or for to war

Question 56

What was Edward faced with in 1295?

Answer 56

A war with France and Scotland which he needed money to fight The only way he could raise the amounts needed was by the approval of parliament which he summoned

Question 57

What happened when he summoned parliament?

Answer 57

One representative of the clergy was summoned from every cathedral in the country (two from every diocese - a district run by a bishop) He wanted a tax to fight and he got one, but was worth much less that he’d hoped for

Question 58

What did each “party” vote for towards the tax?

Answer 58

Lords voted him 1/11th of their income Clergy voted 1/10th of their income Towns and Boroughs agreed 1/7th

Question 59

Why wasn’t this good?

Answer 59

It was barely enough to pay for a war and it set the guide that only Parliament could vote taxes to the King Was also the first occasion when knights and burgesses(Commons) met separator from Lords Members knew they had the King firmly in their grasp as he was desperate for money and in no place to argue