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Life and government in England, 1189 to 1216
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Richard I was hardly ever in England; John was there almost all the time. Both needed money, and both relied on royal government to raise it.
Kingship and succession
Kings were expected to defend the realm, give justice and protect the Church. Coronation made a king's power sacred.
Richard I became king in 1189 as Henry II's eldest surviving son. He was a famous soldier.
John became king in 1199, though his nephew Arthur of Brittany also had a claim. Arthur was captured in 1202 and disappeared, probably murdered on John's orders.
Richard I became king in 1189 as Henry II's eldest surviving son. He was a famous soldier.
John became king in 1199, though his nephew Arthur of Brittany also had a claim. Arthur was captured in 1202 and disappeared, probably murdered on John's orders.
Government and money
While Richard was away, England was run by justiciars such as William Longchamp and later Hubert Walter.
Royal income came from the royal demesne (collected by sheriffs), feudal incidents (such as reliefs paid to inherit land), scutage (money paid instead of knight service) and, in 1207, a tax on moveables and income.
Royal income came from the royal demesne (collected by sheriffs), feudal incidents (such as reliefs paid to inherit land), scutage (money paid instead of knight service) and, in 1207, a tax on moveables and income.
Society and the Jews
Most people were peasants, many of them villeins tied to a lord. Towns grew as centres of trade, with markets and guilds.
Jews had special legal status as the king's property. Many were moneylenders and were heavily taxed by kings.
At Richard's coronation (1189) Jews were attacked, sparking riots. In 1190 Jews in York were trapped in the castle and around 150 died.
Jews had special legal status as the king's property. Many were moneylenders and were heavily taxed by kings.
At Richard's coronation (1189) Jews were attacked, sparking riots. In 1190 Jews in York were trapped in the castle and around 150 died.
Explain why the attacks on Jews in 1189 to 90 happened.
- Crusading enthusiasm encouraged hostility to non-Christians.
- Some attackers owed money to Jewish moneylenders and wanted debts destroyed.
- Violence at Richard's coronation in 1189 spread to other towns, including York in 1190.
Answer: Crusading fervour, debt and the trigger of Richard's coronation.
Richard 1189 (rarely in England); John 1199 (Arthur's murder). Justiciars ran England. Revenue: demesne and sheriffs, feudal incidents, scutage, 1207 tax. Peasants and towns. Jews: king's property, moneylending, York 1190.
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