Medieval England notes
88 notes by 52 users · Page 1 of 3
This Medieval England notes page gathers community-made notes on topics from Magna Carta to the Wars of the Roses. It is for school students revising events and arguments, and teachers looking for ready-made material. The collection has over 80 notes from more than 40 users, mostly at secondary level. Pick a topic and start reading.
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- Anglo-Saxon England and the Vikings16
- The Norman Conquest113
- Medieval Castles and the Tower of London20
- Feudalism and Medieval Society23
- Henry II and the Angevin Empire36
- The Medieval Church and Thomas Becket59
- King John and Magna Carta97
- Jews in Medieval England8
- Medieval Kingship and the Origins of Parliament17
- Medieval Towns and Universities22
- Medieval Crime and Punishment14
- The Hundred Years' War47
- The Black Death45
- The Peasants' Revolt46
- The Wars of the Roses127
Notes
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Baronial uprising and Magna Carta - Baronial Resentment Growing sense of treachery was that John increasingly hired mercenaries. Since he could rely on such men, he appointed them to positions which the established political elite would normally occupy (the barons). The me...
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“A political and economic disaster for England.” How far do you agree with this view of the reign of Richard the Lionheart? “A political and economic disaster for England.” How far do you agree with this view of the reign of Richard the Lionheart? Richard's ascension to the throne of England on July 6th 1189 was perhaps the smoothest of su...
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“The consequences of Thomas Becket's death were a victory for King Henry II.” Assess the validity of this view with reference to the years 1170 to 1179. (45 marks) “The consequences of Thomas Becket's death were a victory for King Henry II.” Assess the validity of this view with reference to the years 1170 to 1179. (45 marks) Thomas Becket, first friend and then ch...
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1. Notes on the aftermath of Becket's death After his martyrdom the cult of St Thomas spread across Christendom, with his canonisation Feb 1173, and miracles attributed to him. When Henry heard the news of Becket's death he went to Ireland from Oct 1171 to Apri...
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The Great Rebellion 1173-74 - Overview Rebellion lead by Henry, Richard and Geoffrey (John NOT involved, only an infant). Eleanor of Aquitaine was a key protagonist, which shocked contempories and Henry. The revolt lasted 18 months and ended in the revolt'...
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Restoration of royal authority About the relationship between King and Church (and the barons) 1154-1174 The key personnel at the heart of Henry II's financial and administrative reforms were the sheriffs - the men who represented the king in the p...
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Impact of the Wars of the Roses on society IMPACT ON TOWNS Positive: -Some towns regularly sent men to fight. -If towns picked the 'winning side' they were impacted positively (royal favour: grants, licenses, tax, trade improvements). -Very few sieges affected...
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The Plantagenet Lands A geographical bloc stretching from Northumberland to the Pyrenees, focusing around important towns and strong holds. Henry was the sovereign of an enormous realm. Professor Boussard defined the 'empire' as a ver...
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Collapse of the Angevin Empire Fall of the Angevin Empire was an inevitable process, the result of long-term underlying factors - social, economic and political. Doomed from the start? Divided by the treachery of Henry's sons. Held together w...
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Henry VI's Second reign 1471 (Spring) Edward returned to England at the head of a Burgundian Yorkist army. 1471 (14th April) Battle of Barnet Edward set out to attack Warwick’s larger Lancastrian force at dawn. After a three hour fight, two ...
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Medieval explanation Uses a secondary source to explain the impact of social hierarchy on wealth and power Explain the difference between different attitudes serfs using sources. Describes the difference between and ...
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WAR OF THE ROSES CONSOLIDATING POWER: Edward's position in 1471: Strengths: -He has removed any potential threat to his throne, apart from Henry Tudor. (Edward of Westminster dead, Warwick dead, Somerset and Devon killed a...
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1_End of Yorkist Monarchy and the triumph of Henry Tudor, 1483 - 1487 CONTEXT Early Modern British MonarchyWhat was expected of a Monarch To be a feudal overlord: "live off his own" "Warrior aristocracy" - degree of physical and mental strength; appear in battle Manage factions and cult...
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Richard III Richard's seizure of the throne: [In 10 steps] -On the 1st of May Edward V was intercepted on his travels to London by Gloucester and Buckingham. -The interception put delays to Edward V's coronation and allowed Bucki...
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Henry VI's First Reign 1437-1461 1437 (12th November) Henry came of age to take the throne at the age of 16. Was mostly controlled by advisors. 1440 (7th July) The English recaptured Harfleur from the French. 1440 (12th September) Hen...
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Topic 1A-Reign of Henry II The Restoration of Royal Authority 1154-1166 The Social, Political and Economic condition of England in 1154: Much Royal land granted away to Stephen's supporters during reign/civil war. Exchequer revenues halved by 1...
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Edward IV's First Reign 1461 - 1469 - created from Mind Map The nobility The Earl of Warwick Warwick's rebellion and the restoration of Henry VI
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Edward IV's First Reign 1461 (4th March) Edward Duke of York took the throne as Edward IV with Warwick as his chief advisor. 1461 (29th March) Battle of Towton Edward pursued the Lancastrians north and attacked them near Tadcaster. After a l...
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Edward IV's Second Reign 1471 (4th May) Battle of Tewekesbury Edward, supported by his brother, Richard of Gloucester, attacked Margaret of Anjou’s forces as they were leaving for Wales. The Lancastrians were defeated and Edward, Prince of Wa...
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3. Henry was to blame for this dispute On two occasions, April 1166 and Feb 1170, the pope forbade the Archbishop of York to crown YH at the request of Becket. (it is possible these were never received). Nevertheless Henry persisted with his eldest son's c...
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‘King Henry II was personally responsible for the Great rebellion of 1173-1174.’ How far do you agree with this view? ‘King Henry II was personally responsible for the Great rebellion of 1173-1174.’ How far do you agree with this view? Known also as the “Great War”[1] of 1173 to 1174, the Great rebellion affected both King and...
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The three Edwards Edward I, Conquest of Wales Edward I: Edward I was born in Westminster, on the evening of 17th June, 1239. He was the first child to his family. His father was Henry III while his mother was Eleanor of Provence. He wa...
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Edward IV first reign Edward IV 1st Reign The personal rule of Edward IV and the political impact of his marriage to Elizabeth Woodville. Edward and the nobility: Edward understood that he needed to widen the circle of patronag...
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Edward IV second reign 'The Sun in Splendour': the reign of Edward IV 1471-1483 the consolidation of royal authority under Edward IV and the development of new methods of government 'Edward IV created a new monarchy in his second reign'&nbs...
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History Mysteries Thomas Becket's Death The Murder of Thomas Becket, 1170Murder on thealtar's stepsA sword's crushing blow extinguished the life of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, on a cold December evening as he struggled on ...
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War Of The Roses War of the Roses- 1460 - 1485 - 1454: Henry VI goes insane and war breaks out.- New leader is needed.- No clear heir to throne so war breaks out between House of York (led by Richard of York) and House of Lancaster (l...
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6. John and the Church - general notes Innocent III (became pope in 1199) was keen to exert papal authority over John. Relations between the pair plummeted between 1205-1213, due to election of a new archbishop After the death of Hubert Walter in 1205 John...
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National Archives Podcast Notes PODCAST: Magna Carta National Archive · John seen as tyrannical, untrustworthy and militarily incompetent · Two ni...
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1. Notes on the dispute between Henry and Becket The conflict between Henry II and Becket arose from the restoration of royal authority. During Stephen's reign the Church had independent leadership. The new King was concerned with legal issues, and ensuring that the...
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Anti-Semitism general notes Jews first came to England/London from Rouen during William I's reign. Tolerated as they were necessary in credit and finance; most sophisticated financiers of the time Their contribution to royal taxes is an indicati...
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History Podcast Notes: 1215 and all that: A Bad King and a Good Thing History Podcast: 1215 and all that: a Bad King, and a Good Thing Taking Liberties with Magna Carta · Issued at Runnymede June 1215 · ...
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Richard and Anti-Semitism The reign of Richard was the defining moment in the change of attitudes towards the Jewish community. Richard was Christianity's companion, the crusading King. Jews were excluded from the coronation ceremony Westminst...
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King John and the Church, after 1213. John and the Church after 1213. - After John's failure in France at the Battle of Bouvines, he returned to England 1214. Shored up support among the English Clergy.1214 he granted the church a charter which guaranteed...
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King Richard was more responsible than King John for the collapse of the Empire KING JOHN AND RICHARD Richard died in 1199 after a decade of reigning amongst England, Duke of Normandy, Aquitaine and Gascony; Lord of Cyprus, Count of Anjou, Maine and Nantes and Overlord of Brittany. John succeeded...
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Richard III the downfall of the Yorkist monarchy, 1483-1486 the coup d'état by Richard of Gloucester: the issue of the princes in the tower and Richard III's position as a usurper Richard's takeover: before edward died he ...
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John and Anti-semitism At Christmas time 1209-10 John turned his attention to the jews - many were persecuted. Though horrific events were carried out against the jews in Henry and Richard's reign, John's measures were particularly harsh e....
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Who was to blame for the rebellion? King Henry II to blame: Rebellion instigated by YH who was annoyed with his father - expected a degree of authority and autonomy, but didn't receive this (did Henry II not think his son was capable?) Also threatened h...
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2. Becket was to blame for this dispute As Becket was not part of the established hierarchy before becoming chancellor, his rapid wealth and fame made him arrogant When he became archbishop, Becket's reputation and lifestyle was perceived as bizarre by many...
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History Black Death1. Black Death- A plague with two parts; Bubonic and Pneumonic. Mostly, people died by a flea bite after they had lived on rats.2. Bubonic- Swelling-under arm and pain, fever+vomiting, bruises under the ski...
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The battle of bosworth The Battle of Bosworth 22nd August 1485 Henry Tudor and Richard III Henry's forces were first to attack under command of the Earl of Oxford Richard's forces were under the command of the Duke of Norfolk The first part...
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About medieval england notes
GoConqr OriginalWhat these Medieval England notes cover
The notes range across reigns, rebellions and their effects. Baronial uprising and Magna Carta - Baronial Resentment looks at resentment towards John, while Impact of the Wars of the Roses on society considers effects on towns. Other notes cover the Plantagenet lands, royal authority and the collapse of the Angevin Empire.
How to revise with notes
For a starting point, try The Plantagenet Lands for its overview of the territory. Then choose a narrower topic, such as Restoration of royal authority, and write down the points you want to remember. Some notes also discuss questions about responsibility or the consequences of events, giving you material to consider when practising an argument.
After reading, use a quiz on the unit page to check what you can recall. If you want to see a topic laid out differently, switch to a mind map. Choose a set of notes to explore.
Frequently asked questions
Which notes are a good place to start?
The Plantagenet Lands offers an overview of the territory, making it a useful starting point if you want a broad view. For a particular event, try the notes on baronial resentment and Magna Carta or the overview of the Great Rebellion.
Do the notes cover the Wars of the Roses?
Yes. Impact of the Wars of the Roses on society considers effects on towns. The collection also includes notes on Henry VI, Edward IV and Richard III, as well as notes on the Battle of Bosworth. You can choose a reign or an event to focus your reading.
Are these notes free to use?
Yes. Every note listed on this page is free to open and study without an account. The resources were made by GoConqr users. A free account also lets you make your own notes, quizzes, mind maps and flashcards, and save quiz scores.
Who are the notes suitable for?
The collection is mostly at secondary level, so school students can use it to revise events, reigns and historical arguments. Teachers can browse it for ready-made material. The listed resources mention GCSE History, A-level History and EPQ, with a range of topics to choose from.