Lecture V: The Plantagenet Dynasty - The Reign of Henry II

Sources

  • Primary Sources:

    • Peter of Blois, Letter to Walter, Archbishop of Palermo, 1177

    • The Constitutions of Clarendon

    • The Murder of Thomas Becket, 29 December 1170

  • Secondary Sources:

    • Gillingham, J. in The Oxford History of Britain

    • Maurois, A., A History of England

    • McDowall, David, An Illustrated History of Britain

    • Trevelyan, G.M., An Illustrated History of England

General Characteristics of Henry II's Rule

  • State of the Country:

    • England exhausted by wars between William’s successors.

    • Large territory difficult to administer.

  • Social Structure:

    • Class differences observed through languages used: French, Anglo-Saxon, Latin.

    • Military aristocracy shifted focus from battles to land administration.

    • Fortified castles replaced by manors.

  • Economy:

  • Politics and Administration:

    • Development of the Exchequer for tax collection and revenue management.

Key Legal Reforms

  • Primogeniture:

    • Older son inherits estate, other siblings forced into alternative paths (church, adventure, lower alliances).

  • Justice System:

    • Establishment of Royal Assizes and Common Law to unify legal proceedings across England.

Religious Affairs

  • Henry II and Thomas Becket:

    • Conflict due to monastic independence from bishops and influence by the Pope.

    • Becket’s opposition to Henry’s reforms led to strained relations.

  • Murder of Thomas Becket, 1170:

    • Becket killed by knights; became a martyr and symbol of conflict between church and state.

Succession After Henry II

  • Richard the Lion-Hearted (1189-1199):

    • Participated in crusades, briefly governed after captive release; raised taxes and continued military campaigns.

  • John Lackland (1199-1216):

    • Faced baronial resistance, forced to sign the Magna Carta, limiting royal power.

Cultural Developments

  • Rise of English Universities:

    • Universities emerged in the Middle Ages; notable ones include Oxford and Cambridge.

    • Students motivated by various factors (curiosity, professional ambition, adventure).

  • Religious Instruction and Mendicant Orders:

    • Introduction of Dominicans and Franciscans in the 13th century focusing on marginalized groups.

Major Personality: Henry II

  • Background and Education:

    • Son of Matilda and Geoffrey Plantagenet; married Eleanor of Aquitaine.

    • Influenced by Italian universities, known for law and governance.

  • Descriptions of Henry II:

    • Notable for his physical attributes, vigor, leadership qualities, dedication to justice and governance, and focus on peace.