English government 1204-12

• What was the position of the English administration by John's reign?

  Well developed
• What demonstrated the expansion of government under John?

  The increasing number of sheep being bred for their skin to make parchment
• What king of monarch was John?

  A travelling monarch who handled a wide range of matters himself
• There were judges at Westminster to deal with financial and sometimes other cases
• Who travelled with John?

  Judges
• How effective was the judiciary?

  It wasn't a strongly departmentalised system because of John's involvement, but in his absence, it tended to become more organised
• Who was the justiciar?

  Geoffrey Fitz Peter
• Which castles did John frequently stay at?

  Winchester and Nottingham
• Where did John's priorities lie?

  The increase of his revenue
• Why did John prioritise the increase of his revenue?

  Given the inflation he faced, and he gained a reputation for greed
• What was John's reason for increasing revenue?

  To recover his French lands, which needed a substantial war chest
• Why was a substantial war chest needed to recover French lands?

  To pay for troops and bring in continental allies
• Which period was John constantly in England?

  1206-14
• When did John go on an expedition to Poitou?

  1214
• Why was John's constant presence in England unusual?

  since 1066, kings had crossed the channel throughout their reign
• How did John view his barons?

  Not necessarily loyal
• Who was John's government exercised through?

  Members of his household, the curiales
• How was the barons' standing being diminished?

  Their control of castles declined
• By 1215, how many of the barons' castles were now in royal hands?

  Half
• How was the barons role in court reduced?

  The King was transferring cases to royal courts which would have previously been dealt with by the barons in their baronial courts
• Which group were taking on the baronial position in local affairs?

  Sheriffs
• What was the impact on the King in giving sheriffs the barons' position in local affairs?

  It gave the King greater control in the localities
• What was the impact on the barons' position in local fairs being overtaken by sheriffs?

  Weakened the position of the barons
• Why did John not need to call a baronial council to hear reports on the feeling in the country?

  John got his information from his own observations and from those he met on his travels
• Who did John rely heavily on for advice and administration?

  Bishops
• What was John criticised for?

  His promotion of foreigners, such as Fawkes de Breaute and the power he gave to Peter des Roches
• What power did Henry give to Peter des Roches?

  Bishop of Winchester and later justiciar following Geoffrey's death
• What did the proliferation of the curiales mean for the barons?

  There were fewer rewards available
• Why did the Angevins have little patronage at their disposal?

  Previous rulers had given away so much land
• What were the curiales given instead of land?

  Wardships, the marriages of heiresses or local offices
• How did the barons feel about the rewards the curiales were receiving?

  They wanted wardships, marriages of heiresses and local offices for their sons
• How were the barons impacted by John's increased financial demands?

  Many became indebted to him