Royalists and Patriots: The Reign of Henry III (1216-72)

Legacy of King JohnRelations with the

Barons

Royal MinorityAccession of a Young

KingRegency Government

Royal MajorityA King Coming of AgeClashes with NobilityClashes with the

Church

Rebellion and WarComplaints of the

RebelsCourse of Battles

On the Laws and Customs of England, manuscript copy, c. 1300

King John’s LegacyRoyal Ambitions

Attempts to Regain NormandyExcessive & Arbitrary Taxation

Baronial IdentitiesLocal LordshipRule of Law, Justice

Submission to RomeInterdict (1208-14)England a Papal Fief (1213)

Key Themes: Kingship, Nobility, Rome

King John

The Minority of Henry III (1216-7)A Young King

John’s Death, October, 1216Henry 9 Years Old

Baronial Opposition to JohnAlliance with French Crown (Prince Louis)South, London

Early Allies of the KingPeter, Bishop of WinchesterRanulf, Earl of ChesterWilliam the Marshal, Earl of PembrokeHubert de Burgh, Earl of Kent

End of French Forces, Claim, 1217Louis Out; Claim Rescinded

Seal of Henry III (Later Copy)

The RegencyWilliam the Marshal (1217-9)

1st Regent; Lower Taxes; Judicial Process

Hubert de Burgh (1220s)Instance of Faction

EffectsIncreased Influence of Local LordsLowered, Justified TaxesPolitical Rivalry Among NobilityCrown-Magnate Fence-MendingLegal Traditions – Common Law

De Legibus et Consuetudinibus Angliae

Assemblies of Royal Counselors - Parley

William the Marshal, Jousting

The Majority of Henry III (1227-)Henry’s Coming of Age

Self-Declared at 19 YearsIncreasingly Autocratic StyleFall of Hubert de Burgh, 1232Central > Local Powers

Personal & International AmbitionsMarriage Alliances, 1235 & 1236

Frederick II, HRE (German)

Eleanor of Provence (French)French Invasions, 1240sSicilian Affair, 1250s

Clashes with NobilityPower Plays in the LocalitiesTaxation Styles qua John

Henry III, c. 1620; National Portrait Gallery, London

Henry III and the ChurchRoyal Piety

Edward the Confessor as ModelAusterity of Dress & MannerDedication to the Mass, Sacraments

Royal and Papal PowerEngland a Papal Fief, 1213Nomination of Bishops; NepotismJurisdiction (Courts)

Robert Grosseteste (b. c.1175, d. 1253)Teaching at Oxford, 1225-35Bishop of Lincoln, 1235-Conflict on Ecclesiastical PrivilegeOpposition to Rome on non-English

Appointments

Grosseteste, BL, Royal MS 6. E V; 14th century

RebellionReaction from the Nobility

Taxes & Scutage

Provisions of Oxford, 1258Council of 24 (½ Royal; ½ Noble)Latin, French, English

Simon de MontfortLeader of the Rebel BaronsNotions of Communitas Angliae

Papal Dispensation vs. Pro. of OxfordReturn of Assertion of Royal Power

Descent to War (Montfort vs. Henry/Edward)Lewes, Baronial Victory, May, 1264Evesham, Royal Victory, August, 1265

Battle of Lewes, 1264