The Artios Home Companion Series Unit 16: England in the , Part One

Teacher Overview

AS FEUDALISM died out and people began demanding more rights, they naturally encountered opposition from rulers determined to retain their power. ’s abuses of power stirred the people of England to the point of revolt, and he was at last forced to set his seal to the , a document which established rights for people of all classes and laid the foundation for modern government. Simon de Montfort followed this with the establishment of a council with representative members drawn from the local towns, which paved the way for the elected lawmaking bodies that democratic governments have today.

Reading and Assignments In this unit, students will:  Complete two lessons in which they will learn about the Magna Carta, and the barons’ wars against III, journaling and answering discussion questions as they read.  Define vocabulary words.  Visit www.ArtiosHCS.com for additional resources.

Leading Ideas Godly rulers are a blessing to the people. When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God, he dawns on them like the morning light, like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning, like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth. — 2 Samuel 23:3-4

Seek godly leaders to represent you. Look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. And let them judge the people at all times. The 1225 version of the Magna Carta issued by Henry III of England — Exodus 18:21-22

Medieval to Renaissance: Middle School Unit 16: England in the Middle Ages, Part One Page 204 Vocabulary Key People, Places, and Lesson 1: Events interdict hallowed King John excommunicated deposed The Signing of the Magna Carta – 1215 expedition Great Council levied Henry III Simon de Montfort Lesson 2: Prince Edward calamity

Engraved facsimile of the original text of the 1215 Magna Carta, surrounded by a series of 25 coats of hand-colored arms of the barons, panel at foot containing notes and a representation (hand-colored) of the remains of King John’s Great Seal, all panels surrounded by oak leaf and acorn borders

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History Overview and Assignments The Magna Carta

“The Magna Carta established that the King’s power is restricted, and that he could be deposed if he disobeyed the laws it set forth. This great document established the rights of all the people, including churchmen, nobles, and townsmen. Since that day, the Charter has been repeatedly confirmed and now stands as part of the foundation of English law. Its principles are part of the constitution of every English-speaking nation.” – Samuel Bannister Harding

Reading and Assignments

 Review the discussion questions and vocabulary, then read the article: King John and the Great Charter.  Narrate about today’s reading using the appropriate notebook page. Be sure to answer the discussion questions and include key people, events, and dates within the narration.  Define each vocabulary word in the context of the reading and put the word and its definition in the vocabulary section of your history notebook.  Visit www.ArtiosHCS.com for additional resources.

Vocabulary

King John of England signing Magna Carta on June 15, 1215, interdict at Runnymede; colored wood engraving hallowed deposed fief Key People, Places, and Events expedition King John levied The Signing of the Magna Carta – 1215 excommunicated Great Council

Medieval to Renaissance: Middle School Unit 16: England in the Middle Ages, Part One Page 206 Discussion Questions 1. Who had greatest right to the throne 6. What was John’s response to the nobles after the death of King Richard? Whom demand for a charter confirming their did King Richard recommend to the liberties? throne? 7. What did the contents of the Magna 2. Describe King John’s rule. Carta do for the people of England? 3. What eventually happened to Arthur? 8. What are the chief provisions of the 4. Describe the conflict between King John Magna Carta? and the . 9. When King John died, who became King 5. How did the second great struggle of England? between the Pope and King John end?

Adapted for Middle School from the book: The Story of England by Samuel Bannister Harding King John and the Great Charter

Richard the Heart’s younger bring about political liberty, and to make brother John, who had caused him so much such tyranny impossible for the future. trouble during his absence on the Crusade, First, you must know, within five years succeeded him as King of England and ruler John lost the greater part of England’s of the English possessions in France. possessions in France, including Another brother, named Geoffrey, who was , the homeland of William the older than John, had died, leaving a son, Conqueror. Arthur, who was now ten years old. Ever since the Norman dukes had ruled According to the rules which today govern England, the kings of France had seized the succession to crowns, Arthur had a every opportunity to stir up trouble in the better right to the throne than John had; but English royal family, in order to weaken the nobles of England, acting on Richard’s these powerful vassals of theirs. Philip recommendation, chose John, who was a Augustus now aided young Arthur in man of full age, in preference to Arthur, who attacking the French possessions of his was but a boy. uncle John. Also, John had injured one of Long before John’s reign was over, every his own vassals in Aquitaine, by seizing and class in the kingdom had cause to repent of carrying off his promised bride, whom John that choice, for King John proved to be one married; and this vassal carried his of the worst rulers that England ever had — grievance to King Philip. Philip summoned cruel, faithless, lazy, and reckless of John to appear before his court and defend everything save his own pleasure. Yet, his himself. When John refused, judgment was very wickedness and tyranny, by spurring given against him, and he was condemned all classes to resistance, helped much to to lose his possessions in France. The

Medieval to Renaissance: Middle School Unit 16: England in the Middle Ages, Part One Page 207 judgment was strictly according to feudal The descendants of the conquering law; and with the law now on his side, King Normans and of the conquered English had Philip II set about conquering John’s fiefs. for many years been growing more and In the course of this war, young Arthur more alike, and more and more ready to act was captured and imprisoned by King John, together in all that concerned the kingdom. and soon mysteriously disappeared. There The people during the reigns of Henry II can be no doubt that he was put to death, and Richard had been allowed to carry on and ugly rumors whispered that John had their local governments according to done the wicked deed with his own hands. ancient custom. , as well as many On every side John’s vassals and followers other towns, had received charters from the deserted him, and Philip made rapid gains. King which permitted them to manage their “Let him go on,” boasted John, while own affairs, and as a result the townsmen doing nothing to prevent this. “Whatever he had become self-reliant and interested in takes, I shall retake it in a single day.” public matters. This was easier said than done. At last Now that the Norman barons were the “Saucy Castle,” built by Richard with so obliged to give up their lands in France, they many pains and much expense, was taken, looked upon themselves as Englishmen. and all of Normandy passed into the hands Thus, when the loss of his Norman of the French. Most of Aquitaine, which lay possessions compelled the King to give his south of the river Loire, remained true to attention solely to England, he found the English rule — not because of any love for nobles and the common people ready to act John, but because the nobles dreaded to together for the interests of the whole lose their independent position if their country. lands were annexed to the French crown, Soon after John’s return to England, the and because of loyalty to John’s mother, Archbishop of died, and for , their old mistress. nearly eight years afterward John engaged

in a great quarrel with the Pope over the filling of the vacancy. The monks of Canterbury had the right to choose the archbishop, but it had been the custom for the King to name the man whom the monks should elect. On this occasion the monks, without consulting John, elected one of their own number and sent him to Rome to be confirmed by the Pope. When John learned what had been

done, he compelled the monks to elect Château Gaillard (“Saucy Castle”) another man, a favorite of his own, who also The loss of Normandy seemed to the went to Rome and appealed to the Pope. English people of that day a great disaster, After considering the matter for a year, the but we can see now that it was a good thing Pope declared that neither candidate had for England, as well as for France. been properly elected; and he then

Medieval to Renaissance: Middle School Unit 16: England in the Middle Ages, Part One Page 208 consecrated as archbishop a clergyman at and the excommunication were removed, Rome named , who was and Philip was forbidden to proceed with learned, able, and of English birth. his expedition. No better choice could have been made, When the quarrel with the Pope was but King John was furious at the Pope’s settled, John was in the midst of a third action. He refused to allow Langton to enter great struggle — this time with his own England, and he seized the lands and barons, who wished a remedy for the evils of revenues of the archbishopric. To punish his rule. the King, the Pope placed an interdict upon The King was constantly making new the whole kingdom — that is, he forbade all demands upon both the nobles and the church services except the baptism of people. He had called upon them for infants and the “last unction” or anointing services which they did not think they ought of the dying. The church doors remained to render, and he levied taxes unknown in closed; the bells were silent; even the dead earlier times. In some cases he cast men into were buried without ceremony, in prison without law, and in others he unhallowed ground. unjustly seized their lands and goods. In John took no heed, save to drive from many ways, King John outraged the rights the land the bishops who proclaimed the of his people so that all classes were ready to interdict and to seize their lands. Then the rebel. Pope excommunicated the King — that is, The barons found a shrewd adviser in declared him to be cut off from all Stephen Langton, their new archbishop. He connection with the Church, and all hope of reminded them of the Charter of Liberties in heaven. Still John refused to submit. At last which Henry I had promised reforms of the Pope declared John deposed from his government to the nation, and told the throne, released his English subjects from barons to demand a similar charter from all duty to him, and gave Philip of France King John. authority to take possession of the English While John was waging war on the kingdom. Continent, seeking vainly to recover his lost Philip prepared to invade England, and dominions, the leading barons secretly met John also collected troops. But John together, under pretext of a pilgrimage, and distrusted his barons, and when the war was swore to compel the King to restore the about to begin, he suddenly yielded to the liberties of the realm, and to confirm them Pope’s demands. Stephen Langton was by a charter. Their demands were presented permitted to take up his duties as to John upon his return, but the King cried archbishop, and John promised to restore out in wrath: the lands and moneys which he had taken “Why do they not ask for my kingdom? I from the Church. In addition, he will never grant such liberties as will make surrendered his kingdom to the Pope and me a slave.” received it again as a fief, agreeing to pay a In various ways, John sought to break up yearly tribute. Thus, the second great the forces that confronted him; but all in struggle was ended by the King of England vain. “The army of God and of Holy becoming the Pope’s vassal. The interdict Church,” as the rebels called themselves,

Medieval to Renaissance: Middle School Unit 16: England in the Middle Ages, Part One Page 209 marched upon London, and the citizens In these provisions the King admitted joyously opened the city gates to them. that he had no right to imprison or punish On June 15, in the year 1215, John met any man except according to law; he agreed the representatives of the barons “in the that he would no longer take a man’s liberty meadow which is called Runnymede, or goods merely by his own will. between Windsor and Staines,” on the river It is said that when King John signed the Thames. Here he was forced to set his seal Charter he wore a smiling countenance, and to the Great Charter — called Magna Carta spoke pleasantly to the lords around him; in Latin, the language in which it was but that when he reached his own chamber written. he threw himself down in a mad rage upon the ground, gnashing his teeth and biting the rushes with which it was strewn. John had no intention of keeping his promises, and war soon began again. The King had the support of hired troops, chiefly from France; and the Pope, who was now his overlord, gave him such help as he could.

The barons, for their part, called upon A 1297 copy of the Magna Carta Louis, son of King Philip of France, to come The Magna Carta established that the to their aid, and offered him the English King’s power is restricted, and that he could crown. Louis came with a large army, and be deposed if he disobeyed the laws it set for a time the barons were successful. forth. This great document established the Then John’s fortunes began to brighten, rights of all the people, including and it seemed as if he might overcome his churchmen, nobles, and townsmen. Since enemies after all, and again set up his will as that day, the Charter has been repeatedly law. But, in crossing an arm of the sea, his confirmed and now stands as part of the army was surprised by the tide, and his foundation of English law. Its principles are baggage, with the royal treasure, was part of the constitution of every English- washed away. speaking nation. Among many important A fever then seized John, and he died in provisions these are chief: a few days. Men said his illness would not “No tax or aid shall be imposed” save by have been fatal had he not made it worse by representation in the kingdom’s common eating heartily of unripe peaches. His death council. occurred in the fall of the year 1216. John’s “No freeman shall be taken, or son, Henry III, a nine year old boy, imprisoned, or dispossessed, or outlawed, succeeded him on the throne, and Prince or banished, or in any way injured, nor will Louis soon withdrew his forces to France. we go upon him, nor send upon him, except The barons had fought only against the by the legal judgment of his peers, or by the tyranny of King John, and they would not law of the land.” support the French prince against their own “To no one will we sell, to no one will we young king. deny, right or justice.”

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History Overview and Assignments The Barons’ Wars Against Henry III

“In song my grief shall find relief, Sad is my verse and rude; I sing in tears our gentle peers Who fell for England’s good. Our peace they sought, for us they fought, For us they dared to die; And where they sleep a mangled heap Their wounds for vengeance cry.” –from the song “On ’s Plain”

Key People, Places, and Events Henry III Simon de Montfort Prince Edward Vocabulary calamity Reading and Assignments

 Review the discussion questions and vocabulary, then read the article: The Barons’ Wars Against Henry III.  Narrate about today’s reading using the appropriate notebook page. Be sure to answer the discussion questions and include key people, events, and dates within the narration. Henry III of England  Define the vocabulary word in the context of the reading and put it in the vocabulary section of your history notebook.  For additional resources be sure to visit www.ArtiosHCS.com. Discussion Questions 1. What did the barons want from King 3. To what was the “council of 15 barons” a Henry III? precursor? 2. Did King Henry cooperate? 4. What was the result of the battle fought at ?

Medieval to Renaissance: Middle School Unit 16: England in the Middle Ages, Part One Page 211 5. How did Prince Edward escape? 6. What did Prince Edward accomplish after his release?

Adapted for Middle School from the book: The Story of England by Samuel Bannister Harding The Barons’ Wars Against Henry III

Henry III reigned for fifty-six years, his misgovernment. from 1216 to 1272. He was not lawless and cruel, like his father; on the contrary, he was religious, and a good husband and father. Yet he was not a good king, and the discontent of his subjects at last broke out again in civil war. Until Henry came of age, the country was well governed, under the guidance of men of birth and high character, who had been trained by Henry II. But when Henry III took the government into his own hands, confusion followed, especially in money matters. The young king loved to make a great display of riches, to provide great feasts and entertainments, and give magnificent gifts Barons War in England, the Royals (Henry III) on the left vs. the Barons (Montfort) on the right to French favorites. This not only wasted revenues, but aroused the ill-will of his The leader of the barons at this time was English subjects, who were very jealous of Simon de Montfort, a stern and warlike foreigners. knight of French birth, who had become Henry III also permitted the Pope’s , in England. Though Simon agents to raise large sums of money in had married the King’s sister, he was not England to send to Rome, in spite of the always in favor with Henry; on the other loud complaints of the people and the hand, the English barons at first regarded English clergy. him with distrust, because he was of foreign A war which Henry waged with France, birth. for the recovery of the territories lost by his When Henry sent him to govern father, only succeeded in increasing his , or Aquitaine, his rule was severe debts. Finally, Henry allowed himself to be and violent, and many complaints reached drawn into a great struggle between the the King from the rebellious lords whom Emperor and the Pope, which so increased Simon had compelled to obey. Henry was his debts that he was forced to appeal to always ready to blame Simon, who therefore for new taxes. This gave the gave up his task at last and returned to barons their opportunity to interfere with England, where he soon became the leader Medieval to Renaissance: Middle School Unit 16: England in the Middle Ages, Part One Page 212 of those who wished to end the King’s stand with the barons against his father. misgovernment. An important battle was fought at

Lewes, in the southern part of England. Partly because of Simon’s wise plans and partly because of Prince Edward’s rashness, the battle was won by the barons, and the King and prince were forced to surrender. With Henry in his hands, Simon de Montfort for a time exercised the power of the King. He ruled wisely and secured the favor of the people. But the fortunes of his party soon changed, through the escape of the prince from captivity. One day, while riding with his captors, Prince Edward suggested that they race their horses, to see which was the fastest. This was done, until the horses were all tired out. Then the prince suddenly mounted a fresh horse, which he had close at hand, and

easily escaped from their pursuit. Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester By this time, many of the nobles were With Simon de Montfort at their head, dissatisfied with Earl Simon’s harshness, the barons compelled the King to promise and Edward soon gathered a large army reforms. In 1285 they provided a council of about him, to rescue and restore the King. fifteen barons to take entire charge of the The battle was fought in 1265, at Evesham, government — not to remove the King, but in the west of England. Prince Edward to see that he ruled rightly. For some time showed much skill in forcing Simon to fight the King observed this agreement; but, after in an unfavorable position. When the Earl five years, he declared he would no longer saw Edward’s army approaching, in great be bound by it. numbers and excellent order, he said: Then, at last, the barons understood that “They come on skillfully, yet it is from nothing but force would compel Henry to me that they have learned this order of rule justly. battle. God have mercy on our souls, for our “Though all men quit me,” said Simon bodies are Prince Edward’s!” de Montfort, “I, with my four sons, will remain and fight for the good cause which I have sworn to defend, for the honor of Holy Church, and the welfare of the kingdom.” On the other side, the King’s chief aide was his twenty-five year old son, Edward. Death and mutilation of Simon de Montfort at the He was friendly to Simon, and wished to see . Above Simon is the bod of his son Henry. reforms in the government, but he could not

Medieval to Renaissance: Middle School Unit 16: England in the Middle Ages, Part One Page 213 Simon and his barons fought bravely, step, for we shall see that in the next reign but they were overpowered. The earl the practice of including the representatives himself held out, dealing terrible blows, of the towns becomes firmly fixed in the until he was slain by an attack from behind. parliamentary system. The people lamented his fall, and a song is Men have always honored the memory preserved, which they made soon after his of Simon de Montfort; for, though he was death: stern and haughty, he was just and true, and an enemy to all misgovernment. Perhaps, as “In song my grief shall find relief, some say, he was becoming too ambitious; Sad is my verse and rude; but, even so, his defeat would have been a I sing in tears our gentle peers calamity for England, had there not been a Who fell for England’s good. wise prince, of the royal house, ready to take up the government, and to continue the “Our peace they sought, for us they fought, reforms which Earl Simon had begun. For us they dared to die; And where they sleep a mangled heap Their wounds for vengeance cry.

“On Evesham’s plain in Montfort slain, Well skilled our war to guide; Where streams his gore, shall all deplore Fair England’s flower and pride.”

Above all his other deeds, the great earl is remembered for a change which he made in the Great Council, or Parliament. In calling a meeting in 1265, after the Battle of Lewes, he summoned not only the barons and rulers in the church (who had always attended), but also two knights from each shire, together with two men from each of those cities and “boroughs” (or towns) which could be depended upon to support Simon de Montfort, by Élisée Reclus his reforms. Thus was taken an important

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