Richard and John

• Feudal System


  Hierarchy based on holding land in return for service. All land belonged to king; gave land to tenants-in-chief (barons and bishops) in return for tax, advice, knights' service; gave land to knights in return for military service; provided land for peasants to work, they farmed their food, and had to work for lord each week and gathering harvest.
• In return for land, had to swear oath of fealty (loyalty). 5,000 Knights had to serve in king's army for 2 months and give 40 days guarding lord's castle.
• Richard I


  Known as Coeur de lion, Lionheart. Reputation as great warrior king, also showed Christian duty by going on crusade. Guided by idea of chivalry – strong in battle, honourable in dealings with others and love, protected the weak.
• He was third son of Henry II (oldest legitimate son), became king as was favourite of mother, Elanor of Aquitaine.
• Fought alongside Phillip II of France against his Henry II to secure throne as feared Henry would make youngest son John king.
• Once he had secured crown wanted to go on crusade so he:

  1. Made peace with enemies from war vs Henry

  2. Appointed trusted advisers to rule country while he was away

  3. Gave John land in Normandy

  4. Banned brothers from country for 3 years to prevent rebellion
• Government


  Based on maintaining law and order and collecting taxes to defend kingdom.
• Richard only present in England twice during 10 year reign, for 6 months. 1189, crowned and raised money to pay for crusade. Made agreements with rivals to secure kingdom; appointed trusted advisers to run England in his absence, led by William Longchamp.
• 1191 while Richard was away, John rebelled, set up court and ruled kingdom: demanded huge taxes to pay for Richard's release, allied with Philip. When Richard returned in 1194, John had to beg for his mercy; Richard forgave him, but humiliated him
• First 6 years of John's reign spent defending land in France; but when lost Normandy in 1204 he returned to England. He soon became v unpopular: chose "new men" (not barons) as advisers; cruel punishments for those who disobeyed him – so poor relationship with barons
• The Church


  Religion dominated life – people had to attend religious services and pray to get into heaven. Most of Europe was Catholic, loyal to the pope, god's representative on earth: even kings were subject to pope's authority. Church owned lots of land(20% of England) and people gave money to secure place in heaven – so very rich.
• Archbishop of Canterbury was head of church in England (supported by Archbishop of York in North). Bishops responsible for the priests and monks in their area, who performed services, baptism, marriage, burials. Senior churchmen had to supply knights to king's army and some advised the king.
• Kingship


  King had to control kingdom, keep it safe from attack and administer justice. King was given authority by god, so could not be questioned by subjects
• In principle, eldest legitimate son inherited throne when king died, but in some cases the next king was nominated by king or selected by barons.
• King passed laws, he and his court (advisers) travelled around kingdom making legal judgements; being "seen" by subjects and carrying out rituals. Also had to be good military leader (often led army into battle).
• John


  Known as a villainous king. Known as "lackland" as did not inherit land; but weaker that Richard, so no chance of being kin g while he was alive.
• When Richard died John's claim supported by Eleanor of Aquitaine and leading knight/baron William Marshall. Also supported by barons. But rival claim to throne Arthur of Brittany (eldest son of John's brother), supported by barons in France and Philip II of France.
• Arthur only 12, so John crowned king in 1199. Travelled to France agreed to give some Angevin land and do homage to Philip. But peace did not last long and Arthur joined forces with Philip. John captured Arthur in battle, but rather than ransom or put him on trial he murdered him. This broke Chivalric code, so many barons turned against him.
• Reign began well as he chose good advisers and showed good judgement and military leadership by supporting Richard. But he was short tempered and cruel, so lost trust of many people.
• Taxes


  • Royal demesne
  • Tallage
  • Wardship fine
  • Forest fines
  • Scutage
  • Thirteenth
• Taxes collected by sheriff: had to collect a fixed amount, could keep any extra. Sheriff could become v rich, so Richard made a lot of money by selling sheriff offices.
• English society


  Most people lived and worked on the land. Peasants lived on manor, owned by lord. Work supervised by Reeve: divided work, collected rent. Village land divided into 2/3 fields: one left fallow while other was farmed. Divided into strips to be farmed; took crops to mill (paid fee to lord for using mill). Also kept some animals. Hard physical work, long hours, only basic tools
• During C12th towns grew and new towns founded. Paid for Royal charter: gave town freedom, had law court and local government. Range of different jobs; Guilds: group of people with same trade paid for right to practice their trade in town.
• Jews separate community in many towns, approx. 5,000 in England in 1200. Protected by royal charter, in exchange for high taxes (eg Jews had to pay £3,375 for Richard's ransom). Jews involved in money lending (Christians were banned from doing this), so v important in economy. But this made them unpopular. Also antisemitism, as Jews blamed for Christ's death. Pogroms (anti-Jewish riots) after Richard became king, even though John ordered them to stop. Mob killed 150 Jews in York 1190
• The Crusades


  Holy war fought by Christians. 1095 the Holy Land (including Jerusalem) controlled by Muslims, pope called for Crusade. Christianity was against violence, but this was a "Just War" (acceptable to fight). Those who fought in the crusades were granted a full indulgence (they would be forgiven their violence and be allowed into heaven). First Crusade captured Jerusalem, but it was recaptured by powerful Muslim leader Saladin, so another Crusade needed.
• Three armies set off on Third Crusade in 1190: England + Angevin Empire (led by Richard), Holy Roman Empire (led by Frederick I) and French (led by Philip II).
• 17,000 English crusaders, mostly knights and squires (knights in training), leading churchmen, nearly 3,000 Welsh archers. They joined the crusade because: religious belief; offered Indulgence; they could gain conquered land (important for younger sons, because all land inherited by eldest son); debts cancelled; didn't have to pay Saladin Tithe (expensive tax to pay for Crusade).
• Most English people supported the Crusades. It was a godly act to go on Pilgrimage (particularly to the Holy Land), but this had become more difficult since capture by Muslims. Richard was seen by his people as a defender of the faith. The Pogroms of 1189 showed that there was enthusiasm for religious violence.
• But there were some concerns about the Crusade: knights would be away for a long time so harder to manage their lands; cost (required heavy taxes); some argued that king should be in England to protect and rule the kingdom.
• Richard – Crusader King


  Richard swore to go on Crusade 1187, before becoming king; started preparing to leave as soon as he was crowned. His was motivated by: religious devotion; personal glory; his great grandfather had been King of Jerusalem; as new king he had wealth and power.
• Even before leaving there was tension between Richard and Philip. Philip wanted to take land from the Angevin Empire for France; Richard controlled the Vexin (an important strip of land in Normandy) – he had been promised this as dowry for marrying Philip's sister, but he didn't marry her). But they agreed that they would not attack each other's land while on Crusade.
• Holy Roman Emperor Frederick drowned in 1190 and many of his troops returned home, so Richard and Philip quarrelled over who would be leader of the Crusade.
• Richard given better reception in Sicily on way, which made Philip jealous; Richard then married in Cyprus – this humiliated Philip as he had been betrothed to his sister. Richard conquered Cyprus – this gave him, lots of extra money, and a source of food for the Crusade. Philip thought he should have half as they had agreed to share conquests, but Richard refused as Philip had not been involved.
• Argument continued after victory at Acre: Richard had been able to pay soldiers higher wages, and they disagreed about who should become King of Jerusalem. Richard left the Crusade and returned to France (he was ill, he was angry about Richard's arrogance and he feared France would be attacked as Count of Flanders had died so France weaker).
• Richard faced problems: feared that Philip might attack Angevin Empire; had poor relationship with other Crusader leaders; Leopold of Austria was furious after Richard's men had taken down his banner at Acre (as Leopold was not a King).
• Acre, Arsuf and Jerusalem

  1. Acre (July 1191) - Christian army besieged Acre since 1189, but unable to capture. Philip and Richard arrived with men and catapults, broke through city walls. 12 July Muslims surrendered, agreement made with Saladin (hand over weapons, pay 200,000 gold coins, release Christian prisoners, return of the True Cross)

  2. Saladin did not keep his agreement. Richard's men beheaded 2,700 Muslim prisoners outside Saladin's camp. Criticised because he could have ransomed them; but it is argued that he massacred them because it was difficult to look after/feed so many prisoners.

  3. Army marched south towards Jaffa. It was summer and v hot, but stayed close to sea to had enough supplies/water. Saladin gathered army at Arsuf (Sept 1191) to meet Richard. Richard ordered his army to stay in formation and charge together. Some broke ranks, but Richard managed to restore order, charge and win battle. Battle demonstrated Richard's leadership and military skills.

  4. Jerusalem (Oct 1191 - July 1192). First march to city was slow because of rain; Christians feared Saladin's army would surround them; they would not be able to get supplies from coast; they would not be able to hold Jerusalem. Richard ordered a retreat, but marched again 5 months later. Got to within 12 miles of Jerusalem but Richard stopped the march (same fears), and return to the coast.

  5. July 1192 Saladin attacked Jaffa but Richard's skill and courage defeated them. Richard needed to return home, so agreed a truce with Saladin: stop fighting, Muslims retain control of Jerusalem; but Christian pilgrims free to visit.
• The loss of Normandy
• Philip wanted control of all of France. By the time Richard got there Normandy was weak as a result of John and Philip's attacks. Philip had gained control of Vexin (land between France and Normandy) and great castle at Gisors.
• Richard immediately asked for mercy from Richard, Richard forgave him (so only had one enemy, Philip, to fight). Together Richard and John had series of victories and bribed local lords to support them, but Philip took custody (control) of Arthur of Brittany.
• In order to win back lands, Richard ordered the building of Chateau Gaillard in the Vexin. Cost £12,000 and completed in just 2 years. It was a royal palace; v well defended (rounded walls, so no weak corners vulnerable to attack by catapult); and a base for Richard to launch his campaign to recapture lands.