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The Reigns of King Richard I and King John, 1189–1216

Royal government and finances

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 2 booklet B

Overview

The justiciars who ruled for Richard, Longchamp's fall in 1191, Hubert Walter, government by writ and exchequer, John's personal rule and the resentment it caused, the royal demesne, the sheriff and the farm, feudal incidents and wardship, scutage and the tax of 1207.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

How was John's way of ruling different from Richard's?

Numbers

Who ruled England for Richard while he was overseas?

Key term

Why was Longchamp driven out in 1191?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Who ruled England for Richard while he was overseas?

    Model answer

    Justiciars acting in his name — first William Longchamp, then from 1191 Walter de Coutances, Archbishop of Rouen, and from 1193 Hubert Walter.

  2. 2

    Why was Longchamp driven out in 1191?

    Model answer

    Barons resented his high-handed manner and his foreign birth, and John used the discontent to lead opposition until Longchamp fled the country.

  3. 3

    What made Hubert Walter an effective governor?

    Model answer

    He raised the enormous ransom, kept the exchequer and the courts working, and held the barons steady while the king was a prisoner abroad.

  4. 4

    How could England be governed at all with an absent king?

    Model answer

    Because government ran on written orders and records — writs sent to sheriffs, itinerant justices touring the shires, and the exchequer auditing accounts twice a year.

  5. 5

    How was John’s way of ruling different from his brother’s?

    Model answer

    After the loss of Normandy in 1204 he spent most of his time in England, travelling constantly with his court, hearing cases in person and watching his sheriffs and officials closely.

  6. 6

    Why did John’s constant presence in England create resentment rather than loyalty?

    Model answer

    Because barons found the king interfering in their lands and lawsuits, favouring his own men, and able to punish anyone who displeased him personally.

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AThe huge loss of life left England short of workers.
BForeign craftsmen and labourers were wanted.
CCompetition for work also bred resentment.

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