Restoration of Royal Authority Flashcards
(21 cards)
What happened at the meeting between Henry II and Malcolm IV of Scotland in 1157?
Henry demanded the return of Cumbria and Northumbria, Malcolm IV relinquished the claim, paid homage to Henry, and was granted the Earldom of Huntingdon.
Why was Malcolm IV’s homage in 1157 significant?
Malcolm now had feudal obligations to Henry, aiding Henry’s military campaigns and demonstrating Henry’s success in asserting overlordship.
List Henry II’s key actions in Wales during the 1150s and 1160s.
- 1157: Invaded Gwynedd, received submission from Owain of Gwynedd
- 1158: Invaded Deheubarth, secured submission from Rhys ap Gruffudd
- 1163: Re-invaded Deheubarth, temporarily stripped Rhys of his lands
- July 1163: Both Welsh rulers submitted again at the Council of Woodstock
- 1165: Faced rebellion from Owain and Rhys, executed 23 hostages
How successful was Henry’s policy in Wales?
Only partially successful; initial submissions were not maintained, and the 1165 rebellion exposed limited long-term control.
What did Henry do in 1155 to reclaim royal demesne land?
Issued an order demanding the return of all land and castles taken during the Anarchy and took military action against resisting barons.
How did Henry deal with Hugh Mortimer and Roger of Hereford in 1155?
- Captured Wigmore and Cleobury castles from Hugh Mortimer
- Showed force to Roger of Hereford, who eventually submitted
What were ‘adulterine castles’?
Illegally built castles without royal permission during the Anarchy.
What action did Henry take regarding adulterine castles?
Ordered them to be surrendered or destroyed.
Which figures resisted Henry’s order to surrender castles?
- Henry of Blois refused, leading to his castles being seized
- William of Aumale refused to surrender Scarborough Castle, which was seized by force
What happened in 1157 with William of Boulogne and Hugh Bigod?
They were in conflict, prompting Henry to intervene and seize their castles.
Who did Henry appoint as chief justiciars and why?
- Robert of Leicester
- Richard de Luci
Both had served under Stephen, helping to win over his former supporters.
Who managed Henry’s exchequer?
Nigel, Bishop of Ely, an experienced administrator.
What was the significance of Henry’s 1157 coinage reform?
Introduced new coinage to standardize the economy and strengthen royal branding.
What was the 1166 Cartae Baronum?
Required each baron to declare the number of knights owed to the king, enabling scutage collection and gauging military strength.
How did Henry fund military campaigns quickly?
Borrowed heavily from moneylenders, accumulating over £12,000 between 1155 and 1166.
What action did Henry take regarding sheriffs in 1155?
Dismissed two-thirds of sheriffs and replaced them with loyalists.
What was Thomas Becket’s role in Henry’s legal reforms?
As Chancellor, he issued writs that expanded royal justice and administrative control.
What was the significance of restoring the eyre system?
Allowed royal justices to tour the country, enforcing common law and increasing central authority.
What reforms were introduced in the 1166 Assize of Clarendon?
- Sheriffs had free rein to hunt criminals
- Initiated petty assizes for commoners to reclaim land
- Laid groundwork for jury systems
What was the importance of establishing ‘common law’?
Created a unified legal system accessible to freemen, empowering ordinary people to seek justice from the crown.
