The History of England

72 The Empire Strikes Back

 Things looked pretty good for the reformers in 1259; but at the heart of the reform movement were fault lines that weakened them, and made them vulnerable. The differing aims of the magnates; the avarice of de Montfort; and the fact that would plague the civil war 400 years later - how ever many times they defeated the king, he would still be the king. And in 1261, the royal fight back began

72 The Empire Strikes Back

 

 

The Treaty of Paris, 1259

  When at last de Montfort was out manoeuvred into giving Eleanor's quitclaim, the treaty was signed that finally put the seal on the end of the Angevin Empire. Normandy, Anjou, Maine, Touraine, Poitou - Henry formally renounced his claim to all of them. In return, he was given Gascony, and the rights to some further bits of land not yet in his possession - the Agenais, the Saintonge. Some commentators thought Henry a prune to have agreed to this - Eleanor had held Gascony as of right, not from the king of France. But in fact, Henry for once was probably right. It was a running sore - an agreement needed to be reached, otherwise there would simply be constant war, which the English were unlikely to win. And in fact although it taes a long time of course, a war which the English were indeed eventually to lose. 

The Provisions of Westminster

If the Provisions of Oxford were a constitutional revolution, the Provisions of Westminster were the embodiment of that revolution in legislation. Why, I hear you ask, do we get so excited by these things? Well, there are a few points. 

First of all, this is only the second example we have of specific legislation being introduced to modify the behaviour of the king and his instruments, the Sherrifs and Justices in Eyre. It goes further than Magna Carta in this respect.

Secondly, Magna Carta is really a peace treaty between the king and his magnates. The Provisions of Westminster concerned the malpractices of the barons every bit as much as of the king. This is radical. It also reflected the changing make up of England - local knights and towns were now too important and influential to be represented by the magnates. 

If you add the extraordinary restriction of the king's powers brought through the Provisions of Oxford, you have a constitutional change unmatched anywhere in Europe. 

For those super-keenies, here is the text of the Provisions of Westminster.

Download Provisions of Westminster 1259

The Empire Strikes Back

In 1260, Henry and Eleanor started a series of challenges to the Baronial Council which meant that by the end of 1261 they were back in control. At one stage, Simon de Montfort was put on trial by the king, and only saved by an  invasion from Llewellyn ap Gruffudd which distracted Henry at the crucial time - or maybe saved him from the embarassment of an acquittal. Prince Edward returned to the royal fold, reconciled to the king and Queen - though having to abandon his marcher friends in the process, much to their resentment. Eventually, in October 1261 after having many times sworn to uphold the Provisions of Oxford, Henry produced a Papal bull of absolution from his oaths, and repudiated the provisions. This of course should have been the time when the magnates stood up to be counted - but they failed, the air knocked out of them by the defection of Richard de Clare, the Earl of Gloucester. Only Simon de Montfort stood firm - making off to France rather than be forced to take part in a government that now was not regulated by the provisions. 

32 When Christ and his Saints Slept

'...they said openly that christ and his saints slept'. This stunning phrase gives us an image of devastation hat led to the period being called 'The Anarchy'. In this episode, we look at how the Stephen came to power and how the whole thing started.

Click and play podcast: 32 When God and his Saints slept

 

Download podcast 32 When God and his Saints slept
 

Stephen seizes the throne

 

Henry had made everyone swear allegiance to Empress Matilda. But clearly everyone hand their fingers crossed behind their backs at the time, because Stephen really doesn't find it that hard to take the throne. Basically, no one wanted a woman on the throne, and no-one wanted to have anything to do with the Empress's husband, Geoffrey Plantagenet, Duke of the traditional enemy Anjou. And anyway, the Empress is too busy invading Southern Normandy to claim the throne.

So Stephen was crowned by The Archbishop of Canterbury in December 1135. Meanwhile, the Norman Barons firstly asked Stephen's brother Theobald to be Duke - and then opt for Stephen when they hear that he's seized the throne in England.  

The Early Years

The first few years are actually a good deal smoother than they were for Henry and Rufus. Stephen bases his power on alliance with the Beaumont family, Robert of Leicester and Waleran of Meulan, and removes three bishops who he fears are plotting against him. 

But Stephen fails to bind two key men to him - Robert of Gloucester and David, King of Scots. And in 1139, things start going wrong. Robert and David declare for Empress Matilda. Geoffrey invades Normandy.

Click here to see the coronation charter that Stephen signed up to.  Download The Charter of Liberties of Stephen 1136

The Battle of the Standard, 1138

Fought outside Northallerton, David King of Scots and 26,000 men invaded England to make Northumbria Scottish and advance the cause of the Empress Matilda. After a victory at Clitheroe, David was faced by an English Army, grouped around a hill, on top of which sat the English Standard. Most of the English knights dismounted and faced the Scots in a mixed line of knights and Longbowmen. The Galweigan charge was broken by the archers, and the resulting English counter attack was unstoppable. The resulting treaty of Durham in 1139 was generous to the Scots - but by this stage, Stephen needed a quiet northern border. 

The trouble is, the treaty gives Carlisle to the Scots. The super-powerful Ranulf of Chester felt that belonged to him. 

The Empress escapes from Arundel

Robert of Gloucester and Empress Matilda times their revolt poorly. By the time they arrived at Arundel, David had been defeated, and Matilda was trapped by Stephen in Arundel. But like an idiot, Stephen allows his brother Henry to talk him into letting Matilda go. Oh Please. 

South West England becomes Angevin

Robert of Gloucester was joined by Miles of Gloucester, Reginald of Cornwall and Brian fitzCount, lord of Wallingford. Together, their power in the South West was formidable. With revolts by Nigel in Ely, and Dover castle held against the King, the battle lines were drawn. 

 

 

 

 

13 Another and last Golden Age

Edgar the Peaceable's reign was a golden age of peace, prosperity and monastic reform. Unfortunately, once he'd gone his wife stuck a knife into her stepson, and the trouble starts over. But his reign should be remembered as the apogee of the Anglo Saxon state.Edgar's is the first recorded Coronation oath, and still remains the basis for the coronation oath today.

13 Another and last Golden Age

 

 

The Coronation Oath of Edgar the Peaceable, 973

This record has been copied letter by letter from that which Archbishop Dunstan gave to our lord at Kingston on the day that he was consecrated king, forbidding him to give any pledge except this one which he laid upon Christ’s altar as the bishop told him:

In the name of the Holy Trinity, I promise three things to the Christian people subject to me:

Firstly that God’s church and all the Christian people of my dominions will be held in true peace.

Secondly I will forbid robbery and all unlawful deeds by all ranks of men.

Thirdly I promise and command justice and mercy in all judgements, in order that the gracious and merciful lord, who liveth and reigneth, may thereby forgive us all through his everlasting mercy.

 

12 The last King in Jorvik

Edmund the Magnificent and Eadred finally defeat Eric Bloodaxe, the last king of Jorvik. But there are some social clouds on the horizon in the History of England.

12 The last King in Jorvik

 

 

 The Hundred Ordinances

These are a set of instructions about how the Hundred court, where most justice was conducted, should be conducted. It's a simple document...

Download The Hundred Ordinance, 939-961

 

7 Alfred the Great and the fight for survival

The Great Heathen army came to destroy the Anglo Saxon kingdoms. We look at Alfred the Great and Wessex struggles to survive the brutal onslaught from 870-878.

7 Alfred the Great and the fight for survival

The History of England

In 870 the Great Heathen Army turns its attention to Wessex. The first campaign of 871 sees 9 battles fought, and Alfred the Great suceed his brother Athelred to the throne of Wessex. Although Wessex wins the battle of Ashdown, it has little overall impact, and Alfred is defeated at Basing, Wilton, and Maredun. In the end, Alfred pays the Vikings to go away, and the they have been to fight so hard that they agree.

But they are back in 878, and reduce Alfred to his closest thegns in the marsh at Athelney. In his famous fightback, Alfred rebuilds Anglo Saxon confidence with a series of raids; pulls together the fyrds of Somerset, Wiltshsire and Hampshire and defeats the Vikings in a decisive battle at Ethandun.

There's a slightly odd bit of treaty that survives between Alfred and Guthrum. It does help us understand the division of lands - but spends most of its time demonstrating that Dane and Anglo Saxon are of equal value before the law. 

Download The Treaty between King Alfred and Guthrum

Transcript

For those of you interested, here's the transcript of the episode

Download 7 Alfred and the fight for survival