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GCSE History: Kings Richard I and John

May 28, 2025

Revise Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History: King Richard I and King John

Overview

  • Consultant: Harry Smith
  • Author: Kirsty Taylor
  • Resource endorsed by Pearson but not a sole requisite for qualification.
  • Covers teaching content of King Richard I and King John.

Content Overview

Life and Government in England (1189-1216)

  • The Feudal System
    • Hierarchy: King, tenants-in-chief, under-tenants, and peasants.
    • Landholding: King owned 20%, barons and nobles: 55%, Church: remaining.
  • Kingship and Succession
    • Kings' power, roles of Richard I and John.
  • Royal Government and Finances
    • Governance under Richard and John, revenue collection.
  • English Society
    • Rural life, medieval towns, and role of Jews.

Involvements Overseas (1189-1204)

  • The Crusades
    • Third Crusade: Causes, Richard's role, and aftermath.
  • Normandy
    • Rivalry and loss under John.

King John's Downfall (1205-1216)

  • Dispute with Papacy
  • Relations with Barons
  • Magna Carta and First Barons' War

Detailed Topics

The Feudal System

  • Hierarchy and Homage
    • Loyalty and service in return for land.
    • King's demesne: 20% for personal use.
    • Key Terms: Fief, Tenant-in-chief, Under-tenant, Vassal.
  • Role of the Church
    • Wealth from land, political influence, spiritual guidance.
    • Structure: Pope, archbishops, bishops, clergy.

Kingship

  • Richard I's Reign
    • Coronation and securing power.
    • Death and succession issues with John.
  • John as King
    • Challenges in securing power, disputes with papacy.

Governance

  • Richard's Governance
    • Absentee king due to crusades.
    • Role of Justiciars.
  • John's Governance
    • More personal rule, unpopularity due to financial impositions and disputes.

Finances

  • Royal Revenues
    • Taxes: moveables, tallage, feudal incidents.
    • Scutage and sale of offices.

Society

  • Rural Medieval England
    • Agrarian society, manorial system.
  • Medieval Towns
    • Centers of trade, economic importance.
  • Jews in Medieval England
    • Legal status, role in moneylending, anti-Semitism.

Crusades

  • Third Crusade
    • Motivations: Religious duty, financial gain.
    • Richard's leadership and rivalry with Philip II of France.
    • Failures to capture Jerusalem.

Normandy

  • Competing Aims
    • Importance to Richard, John, and Philip II.
  • Chateau Gaillard
    • Built for defense, cost, and strategic importance.

Skills and Practice

  • Overview of exam techniques and practice questions.
  • Emphasis on describing features, explaining reasons, and making judgments.

Additional Resources

  • Reference to official Pearson materials for definitive guidelines.
  • Suggested practice questions and exercises for revision.