2.3 Struggles over power in the medieval period

• Challenges to the power of monarchs during the medieval period


  • Barons gradually gained greater rights
  • Barons became resentful of abuses of power by monarchs
• Henry I's response to barons' opposition

  1. Imprisoned Robert

  2. Made concessions in Coronation Charter to win over barons
• Henry II's relationship with barons

  • Did not impose harsh taxes
  • Forgave rebellious barons
• King John's relationship with barons

  • Taxed them heavily
  • Sold 'justice' and ruled in favour of nobles
• Disputes between John and barons

  1. Civil war broke out

  2. John forced to accept Magna Carta which limited king's power
• Magna Carta


  Document that embedded the principle that everyone, including the king, was subject to the law
• Emergence of Parliament


  1. Extended council of barons consulted by king

  2. Lesser nobles and town representatives included in councils

  3. Provisions of Oxford forced Henry III to rule with council of 24 advisers

  4. Simon de Montfort created first Parliament in 1265
• Model Parliament of 1295


  • Knights and burgesses from major towns invited, forming the Commons
• Kings used Parliament


  To listen to concerns of subjects and get money for wars/other needs
• Barons' power to depose Richard II

  • Challenged by Peasants' Revolt
  • Promoted low-ranking men to power
  • Nobles, including Henry Bolingbroke, staged rebellion and defeated Richard
• Richard II's downfall


  1. Arrested nobles who opposed him

  2. Confiscated Bolingbroke's inheritance

  3. Bolingbroke raised force and defeated Richard, becoming Henry IV
• Wars of the Roses

  • Henry VI recognised as weak and ineffective
  • Lancastrians and Yorkists formed armies
  • Edward IV quarrelled with Warwick who rebelled
  • Richard III faced opposition from Henry Tudor who killed him at Battle of Bosworth
• Henry V had a successful and peaceful reign