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History - Anglo-Saxons and Normans > The death of William II ‘Rufus’ and the succession of Henry to 1107 > Flashcards

The death of William II ‘Rufus’ and the succession of Henry to 1107 Flashcards

(51 cards)

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1
Q

What specific place did WR want to restore into Norman hands that had been lost after WoN’s death?

A

Maine

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2
Q

what objective did the objective of restoring Maine become intertwined with?

A

Taking Vexin

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3
Q

Why did nobles in Normandy descend into a state of anarchy?

A
  • perception that Robert would be a weak leader of the region
  • they attempted to grab land to improve their status and independence
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4
Q

What treaty was signed between Robert Curthose and William Rufus?

A

Treaty of Rouen

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5
Q

why did William return to Normandy in 1094?

A

Robert struggled to maintain a grip on affairs in Normandy and failed to control all of Maine
Rufus wanted to discuss how the situation could be resolved

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6
Q

what prompted William into taking military action in 1095?

A

a group of warrantors claimed that he had broken the terms of the treaty

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7
Q

why was WR in charge of Normandy in 1095?

A

Robert went on a crusade

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8
Q

who was a claimant to the principality of Maine?

A

Helias of La Fleche

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9
Q

why did Helias of La Fleche and WR disagree over Maine?

A
  • WR wanted whatever territory his father had
  • Helias argued that his claim was legal and backed by unnamed counts, kings and bishops
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10
Q

2 aims of WR when returning to Normandy in 1097?

A
  • Consolidate claim over Maine
  • take Vexin
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11
Q

who was already in control of Vexin?

A

Philip I of France

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12
Q

why did William want Vexin?

A
  • WoN had been injured whilst raiding it - WR seeking revenge
  • might lead to him becoming king
  • King Philip of France left his brother, Hugh the Great, in charge but he went on the crusade - window of opportunity
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13
Q

when was the first Vexin war?

A

1097-98

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14
Q

events of Vexin War 1097-1098?

A
  • support from Robert of Meulan and Guy of La Roche-Guyon
  • army of 10,000
  • entered area around Gisors + built castle there
  • suddenly left with Robert of Belleme to deal with Helias and Maine
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15
Q

why did Rufus suddenly leave Vexin in 1098 and who with?

A

deal with Helias in Maine
Robert of Belleme

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16
Q

how did Helias threaten Robert of Belleme’s properties and power in Maine?

A

built a castle at Danguel

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17
Q

why did Rufus feel obliged to help Robert of Belleme?

A

he had consistently been an ally after the 1088 rebellion

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18
Q

describe William’s campaign in Maine?

A
  • used siege warfare to defeat Helias of la Fleche and Fulk of Anjou at Le Mans
  • agreed that Le Mans and after towns in Maine that had previously belonged to WoN should be returned to Rufus
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19
Q

when was the 2nd Vexin war? was it successful?

A

1098-1099 / no

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20
Q

3 reasons why William returned to England in 1099?

A
  • gained authority in Maine
  • taking Vexin was too difficult
  • felt he had neglected affairs in England
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21
Q

what happened regarding Maine in the summer of 1099

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A

Rufus had to return to Normandy to defend the agreement which was being challenged by Helias. Helias retreated as soon as Rufus reached Le Mans

22
Q

who was Duke William of Aquitaine?

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A
  • reputation as a poet and a troubadour
  • tentatively linked to Rufus by marriage
23
Q

what campaign did WofA support WR in?

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A

Normandy 1098-99

24
Q

2 similarities between WR and WofA?

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A
  • Saw Fulk of Anjou as an enemy
  • neither had an allegiance to the king of France
25
what agreement did WR make with WofA? conclusion of this?
Rufus would finance him to go on a crusade while Rufus took over the Duchy of Aquitaine Duke also made a similar agreement with Bertrand, Count of St Gilles arrangement not formalised by the time Rufus died
26
3 reasons why Robert's return from the crusade was potentially worrying for WR
- Robert's reputation was enhanced and would be welcomed back to his principality so WR thought his best bet was to resell it - rufus could strike a deal with Robert so he could retain some influence - Robert may have had 10,000 marks to pay back but he also likely wanted to keep some acquired wealth in reserve after getting married - may spark rebellion in england - unlikely as nobility still supported William despite his iron fist
27
who was Robert's return a greater concern for? Henry or Rufus?
Henry
28
why was robert's return a critical moment for Henry?
it may be his only chance to making any gains
29
when was WR killed? how?
02/08/1100 killed by Walter Tirel's arrow during a hunting trip
30
3 issues with WR's death?
supernatural occurrences murder conflicting accounts
31
explain the theory of supernatural occurrences for WR's death
- devil worship - common for medieval kings to be murdered as a sacrifice to the devil if they had ruled in evil ways - blood in unusual circumstances - Berkshire - blood was seen to well up from the earth - Rufus had a dream about it the night before - foreseen his demise and was shaken - Anslem had visions about his death
32
criticisms of Murray's supernatural occurrences explanation
- devil worship cults only existed in Germany - chroniclers like to embellish their accounts to emphasise how Rufus had a lack of piety and deserved to die
33
theory that WR was murdered?
- dreams of monks and rufus suggests a knowledge of a lot to kill WR amongst the nobility - Henry had a motive - next in line + return of Robert and his wife meant Henry had to act quickly / he became king within several days / Henry granted special privileges to the Clare and Gifford families - both connected to Walter Tirel - engineered by French king + Duke of Anjou - Rufus increasingly provided a threat to the principalities near Normandy (Vexin, Maine and Aquitaine)
34
arguments against the theory that WR was murdered?
- not clear who was on the hunting expedition at the time - Tirel might not have been there - not unsual for those with a vested interest in gaining power to act quickly when the right circumstances arose e.g Rufus was already on his way to England when WoN died, Stephen of Blois acted quickly when Henry died - need to act quick - multiple claims to the throne led to delay which led to unrest, rebellion and civil war - Clare and Gifford families were already prominent before the death + would have gained more status without Henry being in power - Robert might not have demanded Normandy back - could have been an accident - accidents were common e.g WoN's son Richard, Curthose's son Richard
35
what was the most obvious challenge Henry faced upon seizing the crown?
consolidating his position in the face of opposition from Robert and his allies
36
how was Robert's support gained?
acts of fealty - established through agreements between the eldest son and WR
37
Henry's initial acts to gain support?
- gave supporters gifts - more supportive of the Church - imprisoned Ranulf Flambard - marrying Edith
38
which nobles did Henry give gifts to to widen hi support?
- William Giffard - bishopric of Winchester - Count of Meulan - Earl Henry of Warwick
39
consequences of Henry recalling the exiled Anselm
- showed that he was more supportive of the Church - prompted Maurice, Bishop of London, to crown Henry - must have been reassured of Henry's credentials to be a good king
40
what was significant about Henry capturing and imprisoning Ranulf Flambard?
he was a symbol of all that had been bad about the reign of William II
41
who did Henry marry?
Edith - daughter of Malcom, King of Scotland + niece of Edgar Aetheling - link to old English royalty -> reinforced support from those with Anglo-Saxon origins / changed her name to Matilda (Norman)
42
why did things change for Henry in 1101?
- Ranulf Flambard escaped - Robert returns from crusade
43
what did Curthose do in July 1101?
landed at Portsmouth with an army + support of some English nobles (earls of Surrey + Hampshire + 3 Montgomery brothers - Robert, Arnulf and Roger) / 2 met at Alton but didnt battle
44
what agreement was made at Alton in 1101?
- Henry would not pursue any interests in Normandy - Robert abandoned claims to English throne - Henry pays £2000 a year - if one brother passes away before the other, the other would inherit all their land and properties - each other's enemies should be pardoned and reassured
45
how did Henry break the terms of the agreementmade in Alton in 1101?
1102-1106 - pursued a campaign to gain jurisdiction over the duchy of Normandy
46
how did Henry gain support for his attempts to gain jurisdiction over Normandy?
- 1102 - confiscated proprty of and deported Robert of Belleme - tried to gain allies in Normandy through bribes of money or marriage - counts of Flanders, Anjou and Maine
47
when did Henry launch his first military expedition to Normandy?
1105
48
when di Henry begin to gain control of Normandy?
1105
49
what castle was put under seige by Henry's army in 1106?
Tinchebrai
50
what happened at Tinchebrai in 1106?
- supported by counts of Maine and Brittany - put William of Mortain's castle under seige - William and Robert surrendered, taken away then imprisoned for life
51
significance of Henry's victory at Tinchebrai?
achieved his aim of having authority over the whole of England and Normandy

History - Anglo-Saxons and Normans (4 decks)

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