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"Assess the impact of Henry III’s minority on English Government" Model Essay
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A model, 20 mark A* essay on Henry III's minority () and whether it positively or negatively impacted English government
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Assess the impact of Henry III’s minority on English GovernmentA complex debate amongst Historians is the impact of Henry III’s minority on English government and
whether this impact was negative or positive. During Henry’s minority, which was between 1216-1234, the
country was ruled by the regency council as Henry was too young to rule himself, being only 9 years old
when he came to the throne in 1216. Some Historians argue that the minority led to English government
being arbitrary, meaning it was not well organised and that foreigners had too much of an influence.
However, others argue that the minority established “traditional methods” for the government, meaning
that the king and barons worked together and that the positives impacts of Henry’s minority arguably
outweigh the negatives.
It has been argued that Henry III’s minority positively impacted English government and led to “traditional
methods” being established. A key impact of Henry’s minority was the improved relations between Henry
and the Barons. During his father John’s reign, the King had a bad relationship with the Barons and this led
to a civil war. Therefore, good relations were vital in keeping peace and preventing another rebellion and
Henry’s minority improved these relations significantly. Firstly, Magna Carta was re-issued 3 times, in 1216,
1217 and 1225. The Magna Carta was a list of demands the Barons had for the King and John’s refusal to
keep it led to the civil war. By reissuing it, this showed that Henry and the council would obey the law and
put the King’s rights into question which helped to improve relations between Henry and his Barons. This
increased support Baronial support for Henry as it showed that the Barons would be listened to and Henry
would follow the law. Also, the French war, whilst being a military failure, was a great political success and
also helped to improve relations between Henry and his Barons. Henry consulted the Barons over taxation
to raise money for his wars which greatly helped to improve relations as the Barons felt they were being
listened to and this led to the first tentative steps towards parliament. Therefore, it is evident that Henry
III’s minority helped to improve relations between the King and the Barons so positively impacted English
government.
Moreover, during Henry III’s minority, central government was restored with help from the regency council
which positively impacted English government. During the years 1216-1219, William Marshal headed the
regency council and did a lot to help English government. He helped to restore central government which
had been destroyed during John’s reign. He restored the exchequer (which controlled taxation), justices of
Eyre and the bench. These all helped to restore English government, secure law and order and bring peace
and stability to the country which had fallen during the civil war. William Marshal also introduced a royal
seal for Henry, giving him some power despite his youth. All of these clearly demonstrate that Henry’s
supporters, in particular William Marshal, helped to establish Henry on the throne and control the country
which had previously been in unrest. Some historians however argue that during this period, England was
too heavily controlled by foreigners. However, these foreigners clearly had good intentions for the King
and England. For example, William Marshal was French and did a lot to establish Henry on the throne.
Therefore, it is clear that with the help from the regency council, peace and order was restored to English
government.
On the other hand, it has also been argued that Henry III’s minority negatively impacted English
government and was arbitrary. A key reason for this was the factionalism under Hubert de Burgh and Peter
des Roches during the years 1220-1234. In 1220, after William Marshal’s death, there was a power struggle
between Hubert and Peter over who would head the regency council which Hubert eventually won. Hubert
led the government with factionalism, meaning he worked to benefit his men and his faction, which was
English barons. This made him very unpopular amongst foreign Barons. Peter’s government also had
evident factionalism with him favouring foreign Barons. Both men sacked all the sheriffs and appointed
sheriffdoms to their own men. Henry was unable to control this factionalism due to his youth. Previously
loyal Barons were arbitrarily punished due to this factionalism. For example, under Hubert’s rule,
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