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Henry II (1154-1189); a Subject That Has Never Attracted Historical Attention Before

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Henry II (1154-1189); a Subject That Has Never Attracted Historical Attention Before / PLEASE TYPE THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES TiMsis/DlMMtallon ShMt Surname or Ftmlly n«me; Cofda First name; Jota Manual cmier nam«/«: Abbreviation for depra* as givan in the University calendar: PhD School; History Faculty Arts and Social Scl«rtc«a TMe: Tha councils of Hanry II In England Abstract 360 words maximum: (PLEASE TYPE) Thd main objective of this thesis Is to offer an understanding of the nature and political Importance of English royal councils In the reign of Henry II (1154-1189); a subject that has never attracted historical attention before. While the analysis of particularly controversial meetings has been Incorporated in several studies, the common features of councils have never been made a subject of historical enquiry. The present study has relied on the evidence provided In contemporary sources, such as the numerous chronicles and a large body of royal charters, treatises, and official documents which have been preserved for this period. It has also studied a number of pollticai, legal, administrative and fiscal treatises, all of which provide useful insights into the mentalKies of the time and the institutional makeup and governance of England under Menry II. The first chapter is a chronological narrative which aims to Introduce the reader into the subject and to associate groups of councils with the different phases In Henry's reign. Then the terminology employed In the sources to identify and describe these meetings Is analysed so to understand how were these assemblies perceived In the polltJcai community. The third chapter deals with the circumstantial aspects of councils by offering a study of the places and buildings where assemblies take place, as well as the calendar and the frequency they followed. The following two chapters discuss the evidence for and the process of concillar consultation, and the matters discussed at royal councils In this period. The following chapter studies the attendance and the social aspects of these meetings. The last chapter Is an essay which evaluates the place occupied by these councils within the early history of parliament. The central conclusion which brings together ail these chapters is that the unprecedented frequency with which Henry il summoned great assemblies meant that most important decisions made during his reign are connected with concillar activity and, therefore, assented by the nobles of the realm, and that gathering councils consequently became a very useful instrument of royal flovernance and a most public occasion for baronial politics in this period. DMiaration ralctlng to dlsposttton of pro|aoi thaals/dlssartatlon I hereby grant to tha University of New South Wales or Its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation In whole or In pari in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1M8.1 retain all property rights, such as paterrt rights. l also retain the right to use In future works (such as artlclee or books) all or part of iMs thesis or dissertation. I also suthorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word abstract of my thesis In Dissertation Abstracts internetional (this is applicable to doctoral thaseaonly). ^ ^ " ' signature ' The University recognises that there may be exoeptionai eircumstancss requiring restrlctlona on copying or conditions on use. Request» for restriction for a period of up to 2 years must be made in wrtHng. Requests for « longer period of resihction may be considered In exceptional drcumatances and require the approval of the Dean of Graduate Research. FOR OFFICE USE ONLY Data of complation of requirements for Award; iijiojo-j COPYRIGHT STATEMENT 'I hereby grant the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or part In the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after Known, subject to the -p(t>vifiior>s of-the Copyright Aol 1^68 I reteln^l-pnopnotary rights, -euch-ea-polent rights I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) afl or part of this thesis or dissertation. I also authorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word abstract of my thesis in Dissertation Abstract International (this is applicable to doctoral theses only). 1 'have either • used no sdbstantial porlions of -copyright matwlalin • my iheei« or I have obtained permission to use CDopyright material; where penmlsslon has not been granted I have appliedAvlll apply for a partialrestriction o f the digital oopy of my thesis or dissertation; Date AUTHENTICITY STATEMENT •I certify that the Library deposit digital copy Is a direct equivalent of the final ofTldally approved version of my thesis. No emendation of content has occurred and If there are any minor variations in tbrmatting, they are the result of the conversion to digital format.' Date ORIOINAUTY STATEMENT I l^eby (kclùre that this submission is my own work ^nd U> the be^ of my knowledge it contains no materials previously published or written by another person, or substantial proportions of material which have been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma at UNSW or any other educational Institution, except where due acknowledgement is made in the thesis. Any contribution made to the research by others, with whom I have workecf at UNSW or elsewhere, is explicitly acknowledged in the thesis. I also declare that the intellectual content of this thesis is the product of my own work, except to the extent that assistance from others in the project's design and conception or in style, presentation and linguistic expression Is acknowledged.' signed -rrrrr.....^ oaf Jlkl.^. The Councils of Henry II in England José Manuel Cerda A thesis submitted to the University of New South Wales in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in History 2007 Contents Acknowledgements 4 Abbreviations 6 Introduction 12 1. The King and his Councils 32 2. Nomenclature 91 3. Time and Space 122 4. General Consultation 161 5. The Business of the Realm 188 6. Assembled as One Man 221 7. Councils and Parliaments 267 Conclusion 291 Appendices 298 Bibliography 320 Cover image: stone carving of a twelfth-century king, possibly a depiction of Henry II (Church of St Mary's Iffley, Oxfordshire) Acknowledgements I have come across the friendship and good will of so many people because of this project, not all of whom can be mentioned here. I want to express my gratitude first and foremost to John Hudson, my external supervisor at the University of St Andrews. This thesis would not have been completed without his advice and support. I am also greatly indebted to John Maddicott, Roger Highfield, Nicholas Doumanis, and David Cahill, for patiently reading proofs and providing important commentary. The complexities of this subject and my personal shortcomings have surely demanded a great deal of assistance. I am equally grateful to the late Rees R. Davies for opening all doors to me during my research visit to Oxford. The support of Martyn Lyons and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences of the University of New South Wales has also been crucial in facilitating conference and research travel. I also benefited a great deal from the very useful assistance offered to me by Julia Smith at the University of Glasgow and from the supportive and friendly environment of its Medieval History Department. Insightful guidance was extended to me by Michael Clanchy, Thomas Bisson, John Watts, Benjamin Thompson, Peter Linehan, Martin Brett, Richard Oram, Judith Green, and David Carpenter. Equally useful was the assistance with vernacular sources and the access to Latin records by Nicholas Vincent, Richard Sharpe, Judith Everard, Nicholas Kam, Hugh Doherty, Mark Hagger and Peter Damian-Grint. I ought to thank as well the librarians and staff of the Bodleian Library and the Taylorian Institute at Oxford, the British Library and the National Archives, for their diligence and patience in the face of unceasing requests. My project originally included a study of the curias plenas, the Spanish equivalent to English royal councils. Research trips across northern Spain were a very pleasant and rewarding experience thanks to the generous assistance and friendship of many people, particularly of Fernando Luis Corral, José Manuel Pérez-Prendes, Félix Martínez Llórente, Santiago Domínguez Sánchez and Fr Manuel Pérez Recio. I also ought to thank many acquantainces in Madrid, León, Burgos, Valladolid, Murcia, and Barcelona, whose hospitality greatly sweetened the archival routine; a welcomed refreshment throughout the burning days of the Spanish summer. The archivists of the Cathedral of León, the Colegiata of San Isidoro, the Municipal Archive of Burgos, the Archivo Histórico Nacional in Madrid and the Arxiú de la Corona d' Aragó in Barcelona, were particularly helpful. I would also like to thank the administrative staff of the School of History at the University of New South Wales, particularly the assistance of Lyn Stump, the late Jenni Granger, and my undergraduate thesis supervisors, Philip Edwards and Max Harcourt. Many of my friends in Sydney, Oxford and Glasgow would also deserve a mention for providing a home-like environment away from home, and for making my academic routine more bearable. I particularly treasure the most entertaining conversations and bagpipe lessons with Norman MacLean in Glasgow. He was an untiring source of wisdom and encouragement. Lastly but most importantly, I acknowledge the unrelenting support of my family and friends in Chile, for whom this project has been a painfully enduring experience. I am particularly indebted to my brother Juan Ignacio, whose ability and good will saved me from having to deal with sophisticated software in the crafting of maps.
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