Anarchy and Henry Plantagenet to the Peasants' Revolt

ANARCHY AND HENRY PLANTAGENET

• William the Conqueror

  • Died in 1087.

  • His death led to a succession crisis in England.

• William II (Rufus)

  • Died in 1100, which allowed Henry, his brother, to ascend the throne.

• Henry I

  • Became King of England following William II's death.

  • By 1106, he had defeated his brother Robert in conflict over the throne.

  • His son and heir died in a shipwreck, prompting succession concerns.

  • Expressed a desire for his daughter Matilda to inherit the throne.

  • His nephew Stephen crowned himself king in 1135, leading to a power struggle.

• The Anarchy (1135-1153)

  • Period of civil war and upheaval in England.

  • Matilda fought against Stephen for control of the throne.

  • Stephen's son died in 1153, contributing to the instability.

  • Stephen signed a treaty recognizing Matilda's son as his rightful heir.

• Henry II Plantagenet

  • First monarch of the House of Plantagenet.

  • Ascended the throne in 1154.

  • Renowned as one of the most powerful monarchs in Europe.

  • Known for his chivalric values and warrior king persona.

  • Sought to re-establish legal order in England.

  • Replaced the feudal duty of military service with scutage (a tax).

    • Scutage: A payment made by a vassal to a lord in lieu of military service.

  • Introduced traveling royal judges in 1160, who administered common law.

    • This established a legal framework based on custom, precedent, and judicial decision-making.

  • In 1162, appointed Thomas Becket as Archbishop of Canterbury.

  • Sought the independence of the Church; issued the Constitutions of Clarendon in 1164.

    • Constitutions of Clarendon: Established that the King was supreme in civil matters and that all subjects were under the Crown's authority.

  • Had a significant and historic conflict with Thomas Becket, which resulted in Becket’s murder.

• Succession of Richard I

  • After Henry II's death, Richard the Lionheart became king.

FROM MAGNA CARTA TO THE PEASANTS' REVOLT

• John Lackland (King John)

  • Became King in 1199.

  • Known for increasing taxes to fund wars aimed at defending French territories.

  • Abused power through arbitrary land seizures without legal process.

  • Threatened widows with forced remarriage if they failed to pay taxes.

• Magna Carta

  • Resulted from the English people's organized rebellion against King John's abuses of power.

  • In 1215, King John was compelled to sign the Magna Carta, a foundational charter of liberties.

• Henry III

  • Crowned in 1216, following the turmoil caused by John’s reign.

  • In 1225, the final version of Magna Carta was reissued, emphasizing individual liberties.

• Simon de Montfort and the Great Council

  • In 1258, barons led by Simon de Montfort pressured Henry to convene a Great Council to address key issues.

• Edward I

  • Succeeded Henry III.

  • In 1295, summoned a council comprising barons, knights, clergy, and town representatives, known as Model Parliament.

• Edward III

  • Claimed the French crown in 1337, leading to the Hundred Years' War.

  • Introduced the concept of chivalry into English culture.

  • Founded the Order of the Garter, consisting of 24 knights who met annually.

• The Black Death

  • A devastating plague that spread across Europe in 1348, significantly impacting society.

• Richard II

  • Succeeded Edward III.

  • During his reign, the land was managed by John of Gaunt.

  • John of Gaunt introduced the poll tax, which sparked discontent and ultimately led to the Peasants' Revolt.