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Anarchy to administration

Anarchy to administration. 3. The BIG picture. How was Henry able to inherit a country of anarchy and establish a peace that was to last 45 years?. The ‘anarchy’ was not so anarchic. Despite the variety of mints that emerged the exchequer still functioned.

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Anarchy to administration

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  1. Anarchy to administration 3

  2. The BIG picture How was Henry able to inherit a country of anarchy and establish a peace that was to last 45 years?

  3. The ‘anarchy’ was not so anarchic. Despite the variety of mints that emerged the exchequer still functioned. The barons swapping allegiance between Matilda and Stephen did not happen as often as is assumed. The scramble for lands had led to many barons growing extremely powerful. It was in their interests therefore to ensure that any ‘anarchy’ did not continue. If it did this could prove to be more of a threat to them as it would jeopardise all the gains that they had made. If ‘anarchy’ had existed then it seems highly unlikely that peace and stability would have been achieved within two years by a new King.

  4. The Treaty of Winchester 1153 Stephen, king of England, to the archbishops, bishops, abbots, earls, justiciars, sheriffs, barons, and to all his liegemen of England, greeting. Know that I, King Stephen, have established Henry, duke of Normandy, as my successor in the kingdom of England, and have recognized him as my heir by hereditary right; and thus I have given and confirmed to him and his heirs the kingdom of England. The duke in return for this honour and gift and confirmation which I have made to him, has done homage to me, and given me surety by oath. He has sworn that he will be my liegeman,and that he will guard my life and honour by every means in his power according to the agreements made between us which are described in this charter. I also have given an oath of surety to the duke, that I will guard his life and honour by every means in my power, and that I will maintain him as my son and heir in all things, and that I will do all I can to guard him against all men.

  5. The Treaty of Winchester 1153 The Treaty of Winchester also known as the Treaty of Wallingford. helped to aid the smooth transition of the crown. For the first time since 1066, the crown would pass to the elected heir rather than being seized. Although Stephen was to die within a year of signing the Treaty of Winchester it was of significance as it would allow HII time to prepare himself for his new role and his people for their new monarch. The Treaty would also reduce the potential for usurpers.

  6. . Crown V Church The Church- This was probably the greatest power struggle of not just the Twelfth century but possibly the whole of the Angevin reign. Who was most important the Crown or Church? The Crown (King) was unhappy to concede authority to the Church and allow them to interfere with the running of the country. The Kings believed in their divine right to rule. On HII’s coins and charters he proclaimed to be “King by the Grace of God”. The Church on the other hand also believed in their own divinity. Of particular importance was the role of the Archbishop of Canterbury (AB of C). He was appointed by the Pope in Rome, Gods very own messenger on Earth. This afforded the AB of C great authority. To bring dispute with the AB of C was to dispute with the Pope and in effect God. A delicate balancing act was required. HII had already seen the power of the Church in aiding his own succession to the throne. It was the AB of C, Archbishop Theobald who had flatly refused to coronate Stephens son Eustace as the King in Stephens life time which assisted HII challenge to Stephen.

  7. Crown V Church Twelfth century religion was far more important than what it may be today. Scientific knowledge was less than what it is today. The Church was central to the community. People could see the influence of the Church on a daily basis. The Church could provide people with support and shelter in times of need, it was a place to worship, a place for celebration it would provide you with guidance to ensure your passage to heaven. People associated bad harvest, drought or disease as a punishment from God. The public did not appreciate a monarch that may provoke Gods wrath. The public would be even less impressed as these monarchs they would rarely if ever come into contact with, a monarch that may not even spend much time in England and who were quite clearly not English.

  8. Crown V Church Showing great strategic insight, Henry II was able to gain the support of the Church, rather than looking to challenge the Church he looked to the Church for support. HII approached the AB of C, Archbishop Theobald and consulted him upon who he should appoint as his Chancellor. The role of the Chancellor was to ensure the kings will was done via writs and charters. AB of C Theobald recommended his favourite clerk, the Archdeacon of Canterbury, Thomas Becket. Becket was a very able administrator who had risen from a modest background in London. Wiley and streetwise Becket had been an accountant to the sheriffs in London. HII had in one move gained the trust of the AB of C and the Church and also gained a level of affinity with the Londoners who had driven his mother Matilda from England.

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