History of British History of British Social and CultureSocial and Culture

Week 5Week 5

Medieval Britain (II)Medieval Britain (II)

Law and OrderLaw and Order

William I was succeeded by his red-William I was succeeded by his red-haired son, William Rufus.haired son, William Rufus.

He levied high taxes from the baronsHe levied high taxes from the barons He stole the money of the monasteriesHe stole the money of the monasteries Nobody liked him, so people were Nobody liked him, so people were

delighted when he was killed in 1100, delighted when he was killed in 1100, while hunting in the New Forest.while hunting in the New Forest.

The SuccessionThe Succession William Rufus was succeeded by his William Rufus was succeeded by his

younger brother, Henry I.younger brother, Henry I. He had a son and a daughter, Matilda who He had a son and a daughter, Matilda who

later became his heir.later became his heir. The Britons were not accustomed to be The Britons were not accustomed to be

ruled by a female ruler, so that the barons ruled by a female ruler, so that the barons asked her cousin, Stephen, to take over the asked her cousin, Stephen, to take over the throne. But Matilda was definitely objected.throne. But Matilda was definitely objected.

They fought for the crown. Consequently, They fought for the crown. Consequently, the law and order were threatened to the law and order were threatened to break down.break down.

The barons plundered their peasants’ land The barons plundered their peasants’ land

The succession continued…The succession continued…

Just before the death of Stephen, Just before the death of Stephen, Matilda’s son, Henry II, succeeded him.Matilda’s son, Henry II, succeeded him.

Henry married the divorced wife of the Henry married the divorced wife of the French king, Eleanor. He inherited the French king, Eleanor. He inherited the duchy of Aquitaine known as Angevin duchy of Aquitaine known as Angevin Empire from his wife.Empire from his wife.

Henry is known as the first Plantagenet Henry is known as the first Plantagenet kingking

About Henry IIAbout Henry II He was a brilliant and energetic ruler.He was a brilliant and energetic ruler. He restored the law and order in British IslesHe restored the law and order in British Isles He introduced a system of traveling judges.He introduced a system of traveling judges. He detested the death penalty. Instead, a He detested the death penalty. Instead, a

murderer was punished either by the loss of a murderer was punished either by the loss of a hand, or else by imprisonment and a fine.hand, or else by imprisonment and a fine.

He appointed advisers. His chief advisor was He appointed advisers. His chief advisor was Thomas Becket. He made Becket Chancellor and Thomas Becket. He made Becket Chancellor and appointed him Archbishop of Canterbury.appointed him Archbishop of Canterbury.

However, Henry and Becket could not agree to However, Henry and Becket could not agree to each other.each other.

At last, four knights killed Becket.At last, four knights killed Becket.

Henry II’s SuccessorHenry II’s Successor Henry II was succeeded by his son, known as Henry II was succeeded by his son, known as

Richard Coeur de Lion (Richard the Lion Heart) Richard Coeur de Lion (Richard the Lion Heart) because of his courage in battle.because of his courage in battle.

He was not interested in responsibilities of He was not interested in responsibilities of government.government.

He preferred to spend his time competing in He preferred to spend his time competing in tournaments, or else fighting on the field of battle. tournaments, or else fighting on the field of battle.

He came to throne in 1189.He came to throne in 1189. During the ten years of his reign, he spent only a During the ten years of his reign, he spent only a

few months living in England.few months living in England. He liked to fight other kings in Europe.He liked to fight other kings in Europe. He spent most of his life by having adventures.He spent most of his life by having adventures.

The Baron’s RevoltThe Baron’s Revolt After Richard died, his brother John inherited the After Richard died, his brother John inherited the

throne.throne. During his reign, the barons were heavily taxed to During his reign, the barons were heavily taxed to

pay for the crusades. Many parties were pay for the crusades. Many parties were disappointed about him.disappointed about him.

John’s unpopularity increased because of many John’s unpopularity increased because of many things.things.

Nobody trusted him anymore. The barons especially Nobody trusted him anymore. The barons especially decided that he had gone too far.decided that he had gone too far.

As the sanction, he must accept their demands for As the sanction, he must accept their demands for better treatment, or else the would rise in revolt.better treatment, or else the would rise in revolt.

On June 15, 1215, King John and the barons met at On June 15, 1215, King John and the barons met at Runnymede on the Thames near Windsor.Runnymede on the Thames near Windsor.

Magna CartaMagna Carta After angry exchanges, the king was After angry exchanges, the king was

persuaded to put his seal on a document persuaded to put his seal on a document known as the Great Charter (Magna Carta).known as the Great Charter (Magna Carta).

Magna Carta affected all manner of things Magna Carta affected all manner of things from standards of measurements to fish from standards of measurements to fish traps on the Thames.traps on the Thames.

One of the clauses stated: “No freeman One of the clauses stated: “No freeman might be imprisoned, outlawed, exiled, or in might be imprisoned, outlawed, exiled, or in any way destroyed… except by the lawful any way destroyed… except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the judgment of his peers or by the law of the land.”land.”

King John could not fully honor accept it.King John could not fully honor accept it. Finally a civil war occurred. He died in 1216. Finally a civil war occurred. He died in 1216.

The Magna Carta The Magna Carta King John of England set his seal to the Magna Carta on June 15, 1215. The document limited the King John of England set his seal to the Magna Carta on June 15, 1215. The document limited the power of the English monarchy and granted rights to John’s vassals. Many English legal traditions, power of the English monarchy and granted rights to John’s vassals. Many English legal traditions, including the right to trial by jury and equal access to courts for all citizens, had their origins in the including the right to trial by jury and equal access to courts for all citizens, had their origins in the

Magna CartaMagna Carta

The Seal of King JohnThe Seal of King John

After King John’s ReignAfter King John’s Reign The civil war was won by the barons.The civil war was won by the barons. King John was succeeded by his successor, King John was succeeded by his successor,

Henry III.Henry III. Henry III confirmed the terms of Magna Henry III confirmed the terms of Magna

Carta. Justice, roughly along the lines we Carta. Justice, roughly along the lines we experience today, had at last been experience today, had at last been established in England.established in England.

When Henry III agreed Magna Carta, he When Henry III agreed Magna Carta, he was still 10 years old.was still 10 years old.

Later, he contributed to the rebuilding of Later, he contributed to the rebuilding of Westminster Abbey. But, nothing more did Westminster Abbey. But, nothing more did he do.he do.