Study Notes on Medieval England - The Reign of Edward I

Medieval England - The Reign of Edward I, 1272–1307

Edward’s Relationship with His Father

  • Henry III was Edward’s father and was perceived as a weak king.

  • The Second Barons’ War: Edward's father went to war against the barons due to their dissatisfaction.

    • Barons were upset with Henry’s expensive wars leading to high taxes.

    • Concerns also arose from Henry appointing foreigners to significant government positions.

  • Provisions of Oxford (1258): This legal agreement aimed to limit Henry’s powers and required baronial consent for certain decisions.

    • Henry III ignored these provisions, leading to conflict with the barons.

  • Edward’s Shift in Allegiance: Initially siding with the barons, Edward changed sides to support his father when he deemed the barons too powerful.

    • He played a crucial role in defeating the barons, particularly in the victory over Simon de Montfort in the year 1265.

Problems Faced on Edward’s Accession

  • Edward inherited a kingdom suffering from damage sustained during his father's rule.

    • The Nobility: Managing relationships with barons was critical as they had been a major source of trouble in Henry’s reign. Edward needed to secure his power without alienating them.

    • Finance: Henry's financial mismanagement affected Edward, who inherited little money. Raising taxes could upset the barons further, necessitating the search for alternative revenue sources.

    • Wales: Prince Llywelyn ap Gruffudd had gained power during Henry’s rule, posing a threat to the March (the Welsh border). Edward desired homage from him as king.

    • France: Following the loss of territories during Henry’s reign, Edward aimed to reclaim lands while navigating the requirement to pay homage to the French king for lands in Gascony.

Edward’s Character as a King

  • Edward was recognized as a great warrior:

    • He participated in the Crusades in the Holy Land and aided in defeating rebel barons during the Second Barons’ War.

  • Divine Right of Kings: Edward believed he was chosen by God, a belief bolstered by surviving an assassination attempt during a Crusade.

  • Edward admired the legend of King Arthur and aimed to embody the virtues of a respected king across Britain.

  • He exhibited a strong-minded leadership style, seeking respect for his authority as king.

Henry III’s Legacy and Relations with the Barons

  • The Hundred Rolls:

    • Comprehensive census conducted between 1274-1275 and again between 1279-1280.

    • The primary goal was to verify that barons and mesne lords were operating under royal licenses for their estates and collecting rents.

    • The Rolls served as a declaration of Edward's authority over the nobility, prompting legal changes regarding land laws in England.

The Role of Robert Burnell

  • Robert Burnell served as Bishop of Bath & Wells, serving as Edward's chief advisor and Chancellor:

    • Under his guidance, the Chancery was established in London, removing the previous practice of traveling with the King.

    • Burnell handled issues before ascending to the king's attention, displaying a high degree of trust from Edward.

    • He oversaw Quo Warranto inquiries, reflecting Edward’s reliance on him.

    • Notably, Edward convened Parliament at Burnell’s residence, Acton Burnell Castle, in 1283.

    • Edward attempted to secure Burnell’s appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury twice but faced opposition from the Pope.

    • Burnell passed away in 1292, marking challenging years for Edward that followed.

The Statutes of Westminster

  • Edward initiated several statutes enhancing his control over the feudal system:

    • First Statute of Westminster (1275)

    • Second Statute of Westminster (1285)

    • Third Statute of Westminster (1290)

    • These statutes clarified that all authority and land were derived from the king, which re-established royal power.

    • They prevented heirs from dividing estates and selling land, ensuring the continuity of the feudal system.

    • Subinfeudation, where lords could sell land with new tenants, was prohibited.

    • When land was sold, the prior tenant relinquished any claims to it, preventing the creation of new mesne lords.

The Statutes of Mortmain

  • The king exercised limited influence over the Church.

  • A loophole was exploited by mesne lords allowing them to transfer lands to the Church (as a gift known as frankalmoign) and subsequently lease them back.

  • This arrangement allowed noble families to evade taxation and military obligations associated with the land.

  • The Statutes of Mortmain (1279 and 1290) addressed this by preventing significant land transfers to the Church without accompanying feudal responsibilities.

Quo Warranto Inquiries

  • Triggered by findings from the Hundred Rolls, these inquiries reinforced Edward's authority:

    • Statute of Gloucester (1278): Affirmed the king's right to reclaim lands unlawfully acquired during the Second Barons’ War.

    • General Eyres were dispatched across England to survey and investigate noble landholdings.

    • Nobles were questioned with Quo Warranto (meaning 'By what warrant?') regarding their land ownership.

    • Failure to provide proof of legitimate claims, be it a royal license or claims since 'time immemorial' (from 1189, the year King Richard I ascended the throne), resulted in loss of property.

    • Many barons experienced a significant loss in power due to these proceedings, and it was emphasized that all land ultimately belonged to the king with the right to reclaim it.

The Model Parliament (1295)

  • The structure of Parliament evolved significantly during Edward’s tenure:

    • Before Edward’s reign, Parliament functioned as a loose assembly of advisers.

    • The Acton Burnell Parliament (1285) marked the inclusion of commoners, specifically wealthy non-nobles, for the first time alongside barons.

    • Edward convened Parliament on November 13, 1295, primarily for financial reasons, particularly to fund military campaigns in Wales.

    • This Parliament was noteworthy for its inclusivity, as Edward proclaimed, ‘What touches all, should be approved by all,’ establishing a precedent for taxation representation.

    • Included members from various societal levels: barons, bishops, knights, and affluent commoners from every county.

    • Dubbed the Model Parliament due to its representative nature, it established the foundation for the role of Parliament for centuries.

Development of Government, Rights, and Justice

  • Lessons 1-9: Government, the Rights of King and People:

    • The study prompts should explore historians’ interpretations, assessing their convincingness in relation to Edward I and the noble class.

    • Each argument should include a paraphrase of the historian’s interpretation followed by contextual knowledge to support explanations without necessitating conclusions.

Interpretation Question: Interpretation A

  • The provided Interpretation A must be analyzed and evaluated for its correctness and context, using both the interpretation itself and broader historical knowledge.

  • Historians’ perspectives should be scrutinized based on historical evidence and narratives related to Edward I and his interactions with the nobility.