A Level Edexcel History:
Lancastrians, Yorkists 1399-1509
June 2024 Exam Questions and
Answers 100% Pass
Course Structure
Aspects in Breadth - exercise of royal authority.
How the power of the monarchy changes over time and what are
the causes of this:
Overmighty subjects - medieval subject who through financial,
military and personal influence have the same power as the King
or more than - Great Magnates could undermine royal
authority/how can Kings navigate this.
Resources of the crown + Relationships with foreign power -
successful wars in foreign countries could enhance royal authority
or the cost of long wars could drain finances and it could give
Lords powerful "retinues"
Parliament - can enhance the Kings authority
Aspects in Depth: The challenges faced by different Kings in
different periods.
Overview of the War of the Roses
15th century England
1401 - 1500
Government and administration
15th century England: Personal Monarchy at the centre of
government.
*Personal Monarchy - when the state does what the monarchy
says.
,The King was very involved in how the country was run.
What three departments made central government in the 15th
century
The Kings Council - a council of advisors who would advise the
King on what to do
The Court of Exchequer (finance)
Court of Chancery (law)
What was the role of Parliament in the 15th century
Parliament was not a permanent part of government - The King
called Parliament to offer advice, pass laws and raise money
What was the role of the regional council in the 15th Century
They were extensions of the King's council in North Wales,
Scotland.
The power of the crown stretched out - this made the monarchy
more effective
Law and Order
Kings had no formal police force - they had to find other ways of
keeping law and order
How did the Crown maintain Law and Order in the 15th century
The Divine Right of Kings - The monarch was chosen by God
and is the closest person to God
The Monarch is given authority by God - he cannot be challenged
by Earthly Parliament
*God said that the Monarch could and therefore the Monarch's
power is absolute - he cannot be held accountable
People feared this absolute power - afraid to challenge any rules
How did the monarchy communicate orders to ordinary people
royal proclamations - an official announcement, these were
carried by Royal messengers to parts of the Kingdom
Not everyone could read but the word spread
Who else did the Monarch rely on to maintain Law and Order
Often the nobility and local gentry served voluntarily as Justices of
the Peace and Sheriffs
*Justices of the Peace - responsible for maintaining law and
order.
, They also did not have any physical way of enforcing power, so
they relied on their wealth and influence in the community -
people were in fear
Why did the English monarchy not have a professional army
They could not afford it
What forces were available to the monarch
the 300 men that garrisoned Berwick - the boarder with Scotland
the 4000 men that were stained at the Calais border
How else did the crown exercise its authority psychologically
People who were wealthy and influential were invited to the
palace and saw the impressive buildings - a reminder of the
might of the monarch
The King and his court did regular tours of the Kingdom, ordinary
people witnessed the might of the King
People were reminded of the power of the crown because the
monarchs face was on all the coins.
Society and the Economy
England was relatively prosperous at the start of the 15th century
What was the size of Britain's population at the beginning of the
15th century
Between 2 million and 3 million
Many had died from the Plague - The Black Death
population: 5-6million people
In what years did the Plague return to England
1420's and 1430's - This killed more people
What was the name of the plagues in 1472, 1475 and 1483
The Bloody Flux, The French Pox, The Sweating Sickness
What is the 15th century often described as
"The Golden age of bacteria"
What percentage of England's population revolved around
agriculture, harvesting of crops
90% - many people worked in the agricultural sector - English
Society was very dependent on a successful harvest
arable farming or crop forming
Why were sheep the most important livestock to Britain
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