BRITAIN FROM MEDIEVAL TIMES TO THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY

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Questions and Answers

What significant event occurred in England in 1066?

The issuing of the Magna Carta

The emergence of Parliament as a political force

The Norman invasion (correct)

The death of King Henry Plantagenet

What was the result of the Norman reorganisation of royal government in England?

One of the strongest central governments in Europe (correct)

Weaker central government

The abolition of the monarchy

Increased power for the Anglo-Saxon population

Who inherited the throne in 1154 and pursued a distinctly 'French' policy?

King John

Edward I

Robert the Bruce

Henry Plantagenet (correct)

What was the reason for medieval English kings calling 'Councils'?

To raise funds with the consent of their subjects Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314?

Scotland was acknowledged as an independent kingdom Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of English meddling in French affairs?

The Hundred Years War with the French monarchy Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Magna Carta in 1215?

It was a charter that limited the power of the monarch Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of Edward I's efforts to gain control of the British Isles?

He gained control of most of Ireland and Wales, but was defeated by Robert the Bruce in Scotland Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the English kingdom after the defeat in the 15th century?

It descended into a crisis and a civil war Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Magna Carta in 1215?

It was a written document that limited the arbitrary exercise of the royal will Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Magna Carta?

To restrict the power of the king and protect the rights of barons Signup and view all the answers

What was the term 'Parliament' derived from?

French word for to speak Signup and view all the answers

Who introduced the beginnings of popular representation in the English Parliament in 1265?

Simon de Montfort Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the 'Model Parliament' in 1295?

It was truly representative of all three estates of medieval society Signup and view all the answers

What was the major development in Europe that influenced the rule of the Tudor family in England?

The emergence of new monarchies Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Battle of Bosworth in 1485?

The defeat of the Yorkist line Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason behind Henry VIII's marriages to six different women?

He wanted to avoid a revival of dynastic civil war Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the 15th century in English history?

It was a period of war and civil conflict Signup and view all the answers

What was the title given to Henry by the Pope in 1521?

Defender of the Faith Signup and view all the answers

Why did Henry want to divorce Catherine of Aragon?

She failed to produce a male heir Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of Henry's marriage to Anne Boleyn in 1533?

The break with Rome and the establishment of the Church of England Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the Church's property in 1536?

It was confiscated by the Crown Signup and view all the answers

Who succeeded to the throne after Edward VI's death in 1553?

Mary, daughter of Catherine of Aragon Signup and view all the answers

What was Elizabeth's religious policy?

Moderately Protestant Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the 'Union of Crowns' in 1603?

The Scottish king James VI succeeded to the English throne Signup and view all the answers

What was the process of Wales being drawn into English rule?

A gradual process over 500 years Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the English invasion of Wales under Edward I?

Wales was largely under English control from 1284 Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Parliamentary statutes passed from 1534?

To bring Wales more firmly under English control Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Acts of Union of 1536 and 1543?

Wales united with England, and the Welsh were equal with the English under the Law Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of the translation of the Bible into Welsh in 1588?

The Welsh language became a printed language and was preserved Signup and view all the answers

Who was the leader of the Calvinist movement in Scotland?

John Knox Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the 'Rough Wooing' in 1547?

The English were driven out of Scotland by French military might Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the revolt of the 'Lords of the Congregation' in 1560?

Protestant aristocrats seized control of central government Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the deposition of Queen Mary in 1567?

The Scottish national church became Calvinist and Presbyterian Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Reformation in Ireland?

The Anglican 'Church of Ireland' was established, but never gained popular support Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Union of Crowns in 1603?

The Scottish king James VI inherited the English throne Signup and view all the answers

What was James VI & I's goal for the Union of Crowns?

To create a union of 'hearts', where the Scots, English, Irish, and Welsh would think of themselves as British Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of Charles I's succession to the throne in 1625?

The Union of Crowns survived Signup and view all the answers

What provoked opposition against Charles I from 1629 onwards?

His decision to rule without Parliament Signup and view all the answers

What was the main concern of the Scots Covenanters in 1638?

The introduction of episcopacy in the Scottish Church Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the 'Bishops War' in 1639?

The English army was defeated by the Scots Covenanters Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason for the failure of the 'Short Parliament' in 1640?

The parliament refused to vote the sums requested by the king Signup and view all the answers

What was the turning point in favour of the parliamentarians in the First Civil War?

The Battle of Naseby in 1645 Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Charles I in 1646?

He surrendered to the Scots Covenanters Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Second Civil War?

The parliamentarians emerged victorious Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of Cromwell's invasion of Scotland in 1650-52?

Cromwell's army defeated the Scots Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Commonwealth period?

The republic was established Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Richard Cromwell in 1659?

He was deposed by a group of army leaders Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Anglo-Scottish union of 1707?

England dominated the new union, but Scotland retained key institutions. Signup and view all the answers

What was a key aspect of the Enlightenment philosophy?

Emphasis on reason Signup and view all the answers

What was a major conflict between Britain and France?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the American War of Independence?

The American colonies gained independence. Signup and view all the answers

Who established the office of the Prime Minister in Britain?

Sir Robert Walpole Signup and view all the answers

What did the Jacobites support?

The restoration of the exiled Stuarts Signup and view all the answers

What was a key institution retained by Scotland in the Anglo-Scottish union?

The Scottish Church Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the year 1714 in British history?

George I of Hanover succeeded to the throne Signup and view all the answers

What was a characteristic of the new British Parliament after the Anglo-Scottish union?

It was a truly British Parliament with representation from Scotland Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Seven Years War?

Britain defeated the French North-American Empire Signup and view all the answers

What was a key aspect of Sir Robert Walpole's government?

He worked closely with Parliament Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the Battle of the Boyne River?

James II fled to France and gave up his throne Signup and view all the answers

Who led the Jacobite army during the 'forty-five' rebellion?

Charles Edward Stuart Signup and view all the answers

What was the main factor that created a sense of British identity in the 18th century?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805?

British victory over the combined French-Spanish fleet Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Union of 1801?

To create a union between Great Britain and Ireland Signup and view all the answers

Who masterminded the proposal for the Union of 1801?

Henry Dundas Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the Rebellion of 1798?

The rebellion was defeated Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Peace of Amiens in 1802?

It was a 14-month peace treaty between Britain and France Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason for the Jacobite rebellions?

To restore the Stuart claimants to the throne Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Battle of Culloden in 1746?

The Jacobite rebellion came to an end Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the parliament that restored Charles II to the throne in 1660?

Convention Parliament Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary aim of Charles II's reign?

To establish a strong and stable regime Signup and view all the answers

What was the main concern regarding James II's succession to the throne?

He was openly Catholic Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the document that placed further limitations on the powers of the Crown?

The Bill of Rights Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Glorious Revolution of 1688-89?

It protected the Protestant religion and ancient liberties Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Union of Parliaments in 1707?

It forged a new state called Great Britain Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of James II's policies, particularly the appointment of Catholics to prominent positions?

It led to a reaction against his policies Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Triennial Act of 1694?

It required a parliament to be called at least once every three years Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the birth of James II's son in 1688?

It led to concerns about a permanent Catholic monarchy Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of William of Orange's invasion in 1688?

The throne was declared vacant Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Medieval Britain

1066: Norman invasion, French-speaking Normans conquer England, governing a predominantly English-speaking Anglo-Saxon population.
Normans reorganize royal government in England, creating a strong central government, one of the strongest in Europe during the Middle Ages.
Norman rule troubled by succession problems, internal conflicts, and opposition from Anglo-Saxon population, leading to civil war from 1135 to 1154.
Henry Plantagenet inherits throne in 1154, pursues a distinctly French policy, focusing on retaining French possessions, using England as a "war chest".
Rebellion against King John leads to the issuing of the Magna Carta in 1215, limiting the arbitrary exercise of royal power.

The Magna Carta (1215)

Signed by King John, limiting the arbitrary exercise of royal power, stating the rights of some of the Crown's subjects.
A revolutionary document in a 13th-century setting, considered a constitutional document.

Parliament

Term "Parliament" first used in England in the 13th century, referring to the King's Council.
Key dates in the development of the English Parliament:
- 1265: Simon de Montfort introduces popular representation.
- 1295: The "Model Parliament" establishes the pattern for future parliaments.
- 1341: The Commons are housed in a chamber of their own, with the first Speaker elected in 1377.
By the early 15th century, the Commons gain priority over the Lords in voting on funds for the monarch.

The Tudor Age (16th century)

The British Isles are marked by the rule of the Tudor family in England, influenced by the emergence of "new monarchies" and the Protestant Reformation.
Key events in the 16th century:
- 1450-85: The "War of the Roses", a series of civil conflicts between the royal houses of York and Lancaster.
- 1485: Henry Tudor of the Lancastrian line defeats Richard III, ending the wars.
- 1509: Henry VIII accedes to the throne, eventually marrying six times in his quest for a male heir.
- 1521: Henry VIII writes a book defending the Catholic Church and papacy, earning him the title "Defender of the Faith".
- 1527: Henry begins attempts to divorce Catherine of Aragon, leading to a break with Rome and the establishment of the Church of England.
- 1534: Henry declares himself head of the Church of England.
- 1536: A number of monasteries are dissolved, and Church property is confiscated by the Crown.
- 1547: Edward VI (son of Henry VIII's third wife, Jane Seymour) accedes to the throne, working towards a more thorough Reformation.
- 1553: Mary Tudor (daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon) accedes to the throne, attempting to restore Catholicism, earning her the nickname "Bloody Mary".
- 1558: Elizabeth I (daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn) accedes to the throne, establishing a compromise solution on religion, ensuring stability for the rest of the 16th century.

The Anglo-Welsh Union

Over 500 years, Wales is drawn increasingly under English rule, eventually uniting with England as a Principality under the English Crown in 1536.
Three main waves in this development:
1. After 1066, individual Norman noblemen seize control of smaller sub-kingdoms in Wales.
2. Welsh attempts to unify Wales politically lead to conflict with the English king, and regular English invasions under Edward I.
3. From 1534, a series of Parliamentary statutes aim to bring Wales more firmly under English control, culminating in the Acts of Union of 1536 and 1543.

The Reformation in Scotland and Ireland

The Reformation arrives later in Scotland than in England and Wales, spearheaded by John Knox, leading to a more thoroughly reformed church than in England and Wales.
English interference plays a role, particularly during the "Rough Wooing" of 1543-49.
In Ireland, no attempts to introduce the Reformation prove successful, and the Anglican "Church of Ireland" never gains the support of the majority of the Irish, who remain Catholic.### The Glorious Revolution
In 1688-1689, a group of seven leading aristocrats invited Mary Stuart's husband, the Dutch Stadtholder William of Orange, to intervene in England to protect the Protestant religion and ancient liberties.
William responded positively and landed an invasion force at Torbay.
James II fled the country for security in France, and the throne was declared vacant by the King's opponents, who offered it to Mary and William as joint monarchs.
William and Mary agreed to a Declaration of Rights drawn up by Parliament, which placed further limitations on the powers of the Crown.

Trienniel Act of 1694 and Act of Settlement of 1701

The Trienniel Act of 1694 stated that a Parliament must be called at least once every three years, and can sit for a maximum of three years only.
The Act of Settlement of 1701 stated that the sovereign cannot be a Catholic and must be a member of the Anglican Church.

The Eighteenth Century

The eighteenth century was marked by two unions as "bookends" and was otherwise a much less turbulent century than the sixteenth or seventeenth centuries.
Two central themes were the development of a stable political regime and commercial rivalry with France.

The Union of Parliaments - 1707

The Union of 1707 marked the beginning of modern Britain, where the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh voted to abolish itself.
In return, the Scots obtained representation in the English Parliament at Westminster, which became a new and truly British Parliament.
The union came into force on May 1, and unlike the Anglo-Welsh union of 1536, the Anglo-Scottish union of 1707 was a partnership forged between two formally equal kingdoms.

Anglo-Scottish Union

The Scots retained several key institutions, including:
The Scottish legal system
The Church of Scotland
The electoral system
The education system
The Scottish system of local government
The Scottish banks and banking system

A 'Polite & Commercial People'

The eighteenth century was characterized by a focus on politeness in manners and moderation in views, linked to the emerging Enlightenment philosophy and its emphasis on reason.
There was a joint British interest in trade, commerce, and empire-building, which led to a series of wars with France, most of which were won by Britain.

A Century of Wars with France

The "Second Hundred Years War" was a series of conflicts between Britain and France, mainly over trade and colonies.
The war began with the Nine Years War and reached a peak with the Seven Years War, where the British defeated the French North-American Empire.
The American Revolution led to the American War of Independence, where British and American "Loyalists" fought American "Patriots" supported by France, Spain, and the Netherlands.

The Hanoverian Succession and Sir Robert Walpole

In 1714, George of Hanover succeeded to the throne upon the death of Queen Anne Stuart.
The First Lord of the Treasury became a permanent post, and whoever held the post led the Cabinet when the King was away.
Walpole was a successful politician who combined the support of the King, Court, and important posts at the head of the Treasury, with the political leadership of the House of Commons.

Jacobitism

The Jacobites were supporters of the exiled Stuarts and sought their restoration to the throne.
Three larger Jacobite rebellions (and invasions) were staged by James II and his direct descendants, the Stuart claimants to the throne.

The Forging of a British Identity

Linda Colley's "Britons: Forging the nation, 1707-1837" argues that a new and genuinely British identity was forged over the course of the 18th century, based on:
Protestantism
War against Catholic France
Empire
Monarchy (George III as a national British symbol)
England vs Scotland (Scots as champions of Britishness)
British ruling class (merger of English, Scottish, and Welsh aristocracies)
Patriotism

French Revolutionary & Napoleonic Wars

The French Revolution in 1789 was initially welcomed in Britain, but attitudes turned negative following the radical turn of events in France in 1792.
Britain was drawn into the war against the French Republic in February 1793, which went badly for the British.
The Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 was a British victory over the combined French-Spanish fleet.
The Battle of Waterloo in 1815 ended the war, and "Britain's century" could begin.

The Union of 1801

The Rebellion of 1798, instigated by the Revolutionary and Republican secret Society of United Irishmen, posed a serious threat to British rule in Ireland and the very existence of the British state itself.
The creation of the United Kingdom: following the rebellion of 1798, a proposal was set forward for the forming of a union between Great Britain and Ireland, using the Union of 1707 as a template.
On January 1, 1801, a new state came into being, and it was called the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, or UK for short.

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Explore the history of Medieval Britain, from the Norman invasion of 1066 to the emergence of Parliament as a political force, including the issuance of the Magna Carta in 1215.