Mineure Histoire de la Grande-Bretagne

British History from the Romans to 1714

27/01

I. Peoples and Kingdoms (55BC to 1485)

1.Roman Britain
Invasion and migrations
•early british history was shaped by conquest and contact w other europeans pples
•These pples left their mark on the culture and languages of Britain
55 BC First Roman invasion
410 AD The Roman armies left Britain
Around 440 to the late 8the century Arrival of Angles, Saxons and Jutes
793 First Viking invasion from Scandinavia
1066 The Norman Conquest
BC = Before Christ - AD = Anno Domini
No written doc bfore the romans, the proofs and infos come from archeology Britan wasnt always
an island, it was originally connected to the continent.
•the first inhabitants arrived in Britain around 700 000 y ago
•At this time Britain wasnt yet an island
•The sea rose atv the end of the last ice age (around 6 500bc)
They were hunter gatherer and nomads. The New Stone Age is the time of agriculture, around 5
000bc Folks are sedentary, they forms communities, homes, crops, monuments (Skara Brae, around
3 000bc) made from stones. Stonehenge (around 3 000bc) shows the understanding of nature and
season and the position of the sun They also tamed animals.
The Bronze Age and the Iron Age
•agriculture is widespread
•Tools, weapons and jewellery were made of metal = artistic and fonctional
•Forts were made of earth
Bronze Age - after 2 500 bc Iron Age - after 800 bc check The White Horse, Uffington, Oxfordshire
There are still no written documents Before the Roman Invasion, most of the folks lived on the land
in agricultural communites. They were diversed, and groups were in conflicts w each other. It’s not
a united state. We call them Celts or Britons. Check map of celts in europe This is not and isolated
place, its part of a bigger celtic picture and culture. It’s the romans that called the island Britannia,
while they were expanding their empire. Julius Caesar is a witness and wrote about em descrbing
them dying themselve in blue ink (woad) making them appear for daunting (not objective)

Two Roman Invasion

55 BC : Julius Caesar’s Invasion
He’s a military leader, fighting wars in Gaule. He is concerned by the relation/connection bwteen
the Gaule and Britania. He wants a big win, a lot of slaves, securing his position and all. He crosses
the Channel, took some prionners and went back home, he did not stay. Stilll it was glorious for
him. This is a very temporary invasion tho 43 AD : Long-lasting conquest by Emperor Claudius He
successfully occupied Britain. He’s not a general tho. We imagined that the conquest was easy
cause the Britons wernt united. Roman rule lasted for 400 yrs. However they were some limits to
their power.

Boudicca’s Rebellion (60-61AD)

This is the most famous rebellion against roman rule, wich began in 60 AD. Boudicca (Boadicea)
was the queen of a tribe called the Iceni. When the romans tried to installed their domination, the
alinated some locals. Boudicca’s husband died and the roman took a land while she was supposed
to to inherit them. She was beaten, her daughters captured and raped. However she had a lot of
support and raised ana army that created chaos and attacked the roman town, buildngs and
monument. They destroyed the roman city of Londinium (LONDON LOL) before being defeated.
Rip. Its a national symbol.

The Limits of Roman rule

•a geographical limit.
Today’s scotland, Caledonia and Ireland ( Hibernia) wernt conquered. Scotland folks were called
Picts. Hadrian’s was built in 123AD from one sea to the other. Hibernia was never conquered
either, there is some contested evidence of trading, contacts and even exploration by romans.

Roman Culture
Baths were a proof of advanced civilization. Sullis celtic godess of water was reappropiated by
romans. The romans thought Birtain was nice, worth the effort, but not the center of the world, the
weather is bad, not the priority. It is a good place for crops tho. Wheat and all. But no wine, no
olive. It contains gold and silver and other metals. Its an attractive land but not the number one
priority.

Roman Civilisation
It was an urban culture, roman built cities in Britain like :
•Londinium (london)
•Camelodunum (Colchester)
•Ebucarum (York)
•Dubris (Dover)
There was paved roads that connected the main towns, coins were used as currency and taxes were
introduced. The romans also brought their language, culture and (at the very and of the period, in
the third century) Christianity. Londinium
•An important commercial centre in Roman Britain. The river Tamse had a hug importance.
At its peak around 120ad, it was populated by 50 000 pple. It doesnt compare to rome tho.
Roman Influence in Britain
•Roman urban center and villas were concentrated in the south and east
•the north and west were region of military occupation
The division is still here tday, as the east and south parts of the country are the richest and all
The End of the Roman Rule
•at the end of the third century, w an economic crisis and political conflicts. Roman also
 suffered from invasion from the north w the picts but also in the south that used to be very
stable. Check diapo
The saxon are a germanic tribe from netherland/germany. As Britain wasnt the priority, the Romans
abandonned the country. The roman empire in the west collapsed in 476.
10/02

Introduction : Migration or invasion?

The arrival of Angles, Saxons and Jutes in Britain is debated by historians.
•Was it a violents invasion or a peaceful migration?
•Was th native British population displaced or assimilated?
It was considred the begining of a dark age, but for historian nowadays it is a period of transition to
the middle age. Its a long and complex stoty.
What happened to the british population? The native, celtic people who had been romanised (closed
to what is tday Welsh, Gallic (ireland)).
410 The Roman armies left Britain
Around 440 to the late 8th century Arrival of Angles, Saxons and Jutes
793 First viking invasion from Scandinavia
1016 England became a part of a scandinavian empire
English is not a “pure” language, its a complete mix btween those languages from diffrtent people.
Its i not a barbaric, dark age, as we can see by the cultural dvpment, the art created during this
period.

Part One
Population Movements
Anglo-saxons isnt an up to date term.
Who were the Angle, the Saxons and the Jutes?
They are usually from Danemark, Germany or Netherland. They hadnt live in the roman empire.
They havent been romanised. Wich means they do not produce written documents and arent
christians. They spoke germanic language. Angle = Engllisc. They worshiped Nordic gods such as
Tiw, Wodan or Thor or the godess Eostre. They converted to christianity in the 7th century. They
didnt keep written documents until the 7th to the 8th centires. They left a lot of traces in the modern
english culture (Eostre = Easter). Britania back then wasnt an organised state. We know it’s a very
divided society. These people had a very similar culture to each other, they spoke similar languages
to each other, could understand each other.
Anglo-Saxon settlements
•The Germanic peoples settles in the fertile lowlands of the south and east. It’s an attractive
land bcse they were farmers and those lands were fertile.
•They didnt settled int the old roman cities
•Germanic élites, culture, religion and laguages gradually remplaced the roman-british
civilisation.
Roman places names Anglo-saxon places names
-chester, -ceister, -caster... (castle) -wick, -wich, -ham, -ton, -ing...
 Roman places names Anglo-saxon places names
e.g. Leicester, Manchester, Lancaster, Warwick, Norwich, Birmingham, Boston,
Chester, Doncaster Southamtpon, Reading.
Anglo saxon settlements were on the country side.

The Britons in the West

Welsh = mean a foreinger , name given by saxon to the welsh
•The region of western Britain were not settled by Germanic peoples.
•The natives British population remained here, where christianity survived.
•Somes Britons from the east migrated into theses western regions.
•Others migrated to Brittany or Galicia (part of spain).
check map on moodle to see Britons in the west. The King Arthur from the legend was propably a
roman-christian-british warrior fighting germanic invaders.
Christianity in the Celtic Lands
The Angles, Saxons and Jutes were initialy not Christian. However, it survived from roman times in
the “Wales”. Christian missionaries who spread Christianity during the period became important
symbols in the British isles.
•Saint David was a Welsh monk who lived in the 6th century
•Saint Patrick was a British missionary who took Christrianity to Ireland in the late fifth
century
•Saint Columba was an Irish missionary who went to Scotland and converted the local
population, the Picts, to Chrtsinty in the sixth century.

Part Two
Anglo-Saxon England
Seven Kingdoms
According to later medieval documents, seven kingdom developed by the 7th century. It wasnt a
unified state :
•“Angle” kingdoms : Merci, Northumbria, East Anglia
•“Saxon” kingdoms : Essex, Wessex, Sussex
•“Jute” kingdom : Kent
It was called the Heptarchy from the Greek words “seven” and “rule”. In reality the map was more
complex and less stable. The population were more mixed. Because they quite similar, they begin to
be indicernable.
The Conversion of the Anglo-Saxons
Pope Gregory the Great sent a monk, called Augustine, as a missionary to the Anglo-Saxon in 597.
The first king to convert was Aethelbert of Kent. Canterbury (the capital of Kent) became the most
important religious centre in England because of that. Gradually, all the other kingdoms adpoted
Christianity in the seventh century. The king convert himself to have the support of the church,
wich is powerful. Then the population follows.
Archeological Evidence
The Sutton Hoo treasure
Its the burial of a rich man with his possessions. It is propably from the seventh century, it was
discovered in 1939. Its surprisingly included silver from Constantinople (today’s Istanbul), it shows
exchanges. This burial is composed of a boat, with the cadaver and his possessions, the object they
will need in the after life. The helmet found there is very fashionable, not practical. It is purely
aethetic. A spoon was also found, with christian names carved in it. It shows the contact or
influence of the christian world to this not christian burial. > Most of what we know comes from
archeology and the study of the language.

Written evidence
There is very few written evidence. The Angle and the Saxon didnt writte. We only have the
perspective of their enemies. Gildas was a British monk, who wrote One The Ruin and Conquest of
Britain in Latin around 520. He described how cataclismic the invasion was. He moved from Wales
to Britany (NOTRE BRETAGNE). Bede, a monk from Northumbria wrote the Ecclesiastical
History of the English People, in Latin in 731. It described who the english people became
christian. It is also the first use oh the word English to qualify people from Britania. The Anglo-
Saxon Chronicles, written in Old English after 890, was the first year-by-year history of the Anglo-
Saxons. By the end of this period appears english litterature.

Beowulf
One of the very first text in “english” literature. It’s a poem written in Old English some time
between 700 and 1 000. The story takes place in Scandinavia. It’s isn’t a christian like tale.

Part Three
The Vikings
The lil figurines are chess pieces carved by vikings. The game is first indian, but comes to us later.
Raider, Traders, Settlers
The cikings were pagans people. They were from Scandinavia and began raiding monasteries in the
North-East England in 793. They established trade routes all around Europe. They sometimes
established permanent settlements (e.g. Dublin...)
Language and Literature
Scandinavian words in English
The vikings wrote sagas in their language, called Old Norse : Some Words of Viking origin : get,
take, sky, skin, they, them, knife, awkward, leg, husband Viking place names : Grimsby, Derby,
Whitby, Scunthorpe ,
Conflit between the Anglo-Saxons and Danes
Vikings from Denmark began to conquer Northern England in the 860s. Danish domination spread
in the North and East in the 870s. By 878 only Wessex was resisting Viking conquest. Danish Law
was imposed in the North and East, a region called the Danelaw.
The Rise of Wessex
Alfred the Great (king of Wessex from 871 to 899, christian king, very cultured, literate and
learning) who defended Wessex from the Vikings. He fought a gerrilla war vs the invaders. His
army did defeat the Danes at Edington in 878. The Alfred made peace w the Vikings and England
was thus divided. Alfred’s successors re-conquered all of England. Edgar (King od Wessex btween
959 and 975) was crowned “king of England” in 973.
The North Sea Empire
All of England was conquered by the Danes in 1016. Cnut (dane) became King of England,
converted to christianity. After Cnut’s death in 1035, his sons contested the succession. The end of
Scandinavian rule : In 1042 check diapo
CONCLUSION
long-term consequences of this period
•The origins of Christianity in Britain
•The Beginings of the English language
•The division of Britain between “England” and a Celtic periphery (later Wales and
Scotland)
•AN emerging sense of shared english identity
24/02

Norman England, 1066-1280

The island of britain has very mixed cultures. They came by wave, and the norman is defined as the
last one. In a linguistic view, anglo saxon, scandinavian and norman french is what made the
english we know today. The tower of London, built by Williem the Conqueror is the symbol of the
strehngght of the norman period.

Introduction : Who were the Normans?

They were originaly from the North, considered as vikings. They established themselves in France
in the 10th century, invited by the king of France to protect the terroritory against other vikings
raids. The normans later adopted the religion, the language and overall culture of French people.
Some words (mainly about sea and ships) came from scandinavian laguage. In 1066 they invade
Britain, briniging w em french language, some social and political organisation. How did they
transform English society?

I.The Norman Conquest,1066

The main document about the conquest of Britain by Williem the Conqueror is the Bayeux
Tapiessry. We know that at this time, there was a succession conflict. The contested succession
King Edward the Confessor died wo an heir in the begining of the year 1066. A very powerful man
Harold Godwinson was elected by the “Witan” , a royal consil. But two other pple thought they had
right to the throne. Harold doesnt have a strong family connexion to the king his sister is the wife of
Edward the C tho. He is still close to the king relationshipwise. HOWEVER William (Guigui en fr)
the duke of Normandy, his linked by blood to Edward the C (Mother of Edw the c was from
Normandy). And Harald Hardrada king of Norway claims the throne. All of these pple thought they
should be the king. Wiwi claimed he had been promised the crown of England by Edw when the
later gave him his support. In this society there is a strong structure of hierarchy.

September 1066 : Two invasions

Harold G. has very stronng enemies. In sept 1066, the army of the scandinavian king arrived in the
north of English, where there is the strongest connexion to scandinavia. Harold had to fight in the
north, successfully beating Harald’s army during the battle of Stamford. Harold is still king. THEN
the normans shows up in Hastings. Harold’s army is outnumbered.

The Battle of Hastings, the 14th of october 1066

English were outnumbered, they had less archers, cavalery, less equipment. Their strat was to stand
in a line w their shield up. It dont work lol. The English army was already lessened. The king
Harold is killed, thought to have died to an arrow in the eye. William marches to London and is
crowned king in 1066. It seems that everybody has accepeted him. Tho going to london, he burned
villge to show his strenght. He is worried about the folks of London being against him.

Imposing the Norman Rule 1069-1070

It took long effort to imposing the norman rules. Castleswere built to maintain the control. The
aristocrats were very often in the army killed during Stamford or Hastings battle, or lost their
possessions, gave to new normans aristocrats, coming in England. They took the highest posisions
in society, in Church notably. Around 15 000 - 25 000 normans dominated a total pop of 2 million.
The new aristocrati is french while commoners are speaking english. Williem stay and is aible to
continue that even after his death. Wi had the support of the norman elites, promising em money
and land and power. He expand in the Wales and island to.

II. Norman and Angevin England, 1066-1200

Social, political and cultural changes
With this invasion there is a vast transfer of population and wealth. The Normans and dominating
English folks. This is the introduction of feudalism, where the hierarchy is very important. There is
very clear sens of obligation to the guy higher to you. We can also see the increase in the wealth
and power of the church, the pope had supported Williem the Conq. The later built big church. The
Domesday Book (1086) is a survey of all the propretry in England (like an inventory) wich is an
incredible source for historians. It was written on the orders of Wil the conq in order to know how
possesses the land bfore and now. Its a very clear record, list of how owns what. They can resolve
dispute, have the knowledge, wich is power. It is quite an advanced object for the era. It means that
the burocracy is developing. Some of the words that come w this new situation = sovereign,
proprety, duke, vassal, government, baron, royal, monarch, castle. We can see how divised the new
society is. It takes two hundred years for the languages to fuse. For centuries, two languages in one
country, we can say three if we count latin (language of admin and the church).
Linguistic changes
Words origins : similar meanings Word origins : Animals and Food
Anglo-Saxon Norman French
Freedom Liberty
Buy Purchasse
Harbour/Haven Port
Ask, Answer Demand, respond
Hate Detest
Anglo-Saxon Norman French
Cow Beef
Calf Veal
 Anglo-Saxon Norman French
Sheep/lamb Mutton
Swine, pig Pork
The french words are usualy used to appear more distinguished when it has similar meaning. When
its about FOOD tho, the french words are used to talk about the meat in the table rather than the
animal it cames from. Around 28% of the vocabulary came from French, around 26% from
german(anglo-saxon), 29% for latin. In the top 100 frequent words, almost all are anglo-saxon w
few exeption that comes from french.

The Angevin Dynasty

After the family of William the conq and his two sons died and after this chaotic period, STEPHEN
OF BLOIS enter the game. Mathilda doesnt win during her life, but she managed to put her son on
the throne. Goeffrey Plantagenet count of Anjou is the father of the new king. Its a second family
taking the power in English is deeply connected to Anjou. Henri II became the king in 1154. He is
from the mother side of Will the conqueror familly.
The Angevin Empire
The empire was covering all of the atlantic facade in 1172. Henri II is the lord of Ireland after
invading it, expanding his ter, and w his marriage w Alienor from Aquitaine inherit the terter she
comes from. There was three Angevin King, Henry II, Richard I (the lionheart) and John.

Henry II
He is famous for the enegy he spent for the expansion of ter, the administration, centralisation of
power, a system of common law(court, jury, judging person on trial), political structure. A conflict
appear bcause of this ambition of control w the church. Thomas Beckect, friend and advisor of the
king became the enemi of the later. He was Archbishop of Canterbury in 1162. Becket resisted
Henry’s attempt to lessen the church power, trying to subordinate it to the power of the king.
Beckect was murdered in his own cathedral in the name of the king.

III. The Monarch and the Aristocracy in the 13th Century

Theree is a conflict between the king and the aristocrats. King John is considered a bad king, son of
Henry II, king from 1199 to 1216. He alienated the aristocracy, lost normandy, britanny and anjou
during war against king of France. He interfered in the power of the Church, voir diapo. The pope
refused to opened the churches in England for the time = so no funerals, no mariages, no baptism.
This forced the king to accept the choice of the pope. Langton led a rebellion of Norman barons
against John, w the alliance of the Church.

Magna Carta (1215)

This is a very fondational moment in the history of England. It imposes limit on the power of the
king. It’s the first step, at least considered, to limit the power of the king. voir diapo.If the king
wants to collect tax, he must have the support of the aristocracy. He has to work w em. voir diapo.
You could not be punished wo a legal process. It still a very limited advancement. The Charter
wasnt respected.

Henry III, son of John, king from 1216 to 1272

The origins of the parliament comes at the end of this period, w Henry III son of John. He aslo
faced opposition from the barons. He was defeated in diff moment by Simon de Montfort (french
baron). He imposes a system to the king, the Provisions of Oxford in 1258. The king share the
power w a council of 15 barons

The origins of parliaments

the king is being fought in battle by his aristocrat, and defeated. This organisation has two
representatives voir diapo.
Conclusion
major changes btween 1066-1280
the imposition of norman rules, arrival of french speaking aristocracy, voir diapo
03/03
The english then was spoken by farmers alike, the aristocracy was speaking french.

Introduction
England and its neighbours
Conquest on the Celtic periphery
the film braveheart speaks about this time. The uk is even today not as united. Wales is not a
country, yet it has a seperate sport teams. Same state but differnt identity.

I. Ireland, Wales and Scotland

1.The “Norman conquest of Ireland (sometimes called “English”)
ireland wasnt part of the roman empire, wasnt conquerd by the anlglo saxon, some contact w viking
BUT the first major attempt to connect Ireland to Britain has been made by the Normans. A
hundred years after they conquered England. It’s also called english cause king of england but
norman king. From 1177 the king of England claimed the title of Lord of Ireland. At this time
Ireland wasnt even united, tens or hundreds of lil kingdoms. The Normans tried to centralise it.
They didnt succeed. Ireland was under the domination of England until the XXe century. In 1297
the parliament was created in irland in the same model of england. Its a separate land but the
english king and parliament are dominating. The domination ws never complete (check map diapo).
The power of the english king began to decline, the norman-french aristocrat began acculurating to
the land. They became irish, assimilating. They still kept their loyalty to the kings of Normandy. As
the king’s influence declined, the connexion became proeminent in Dublin = main english norman
french city.
b. The Edwardian conquest of Wales
It was totally conquered, begining in the south in the 1090. It’s not callled the kingdom of
england(??). Commoner spoke welsh, aristo french. Welsh prince continued to rule in the northen
region.
In King Edward the First of England...
Edward is the first name that tries to connect w Edward the confessor, the king before the coming of
Normans. His ambition was to be the king of the whole island. He launched a military campaing in
1277. He defeating the last Welsh leader (as in independent and successful) iin 1282. Edward I built
many castles to maintain control. The son of Edward I is made the Prince of Wales. Then the first
child of the king is always the designated the Prince of Wales.
After the Edwardian Conquest
Wales is part of the english state. Wales is the place that is being intagrated the most, the most
englicised. There was a lot of famous rebellion
An unsuccessful Welsh rebellion, 1400-1415
Owain Glyndwr was a welsh leader of a rebellion, claming the title of prince of wales. Gerrilla war
against england, defeated around 1412, rebellion suppressed by 1415.
Scotland before 1290
By the 11th century is not divided, it was a separate kingdom, Alba. It was Gaelic speaking. The
normans tried to conquered it in 1070 were unsuccessful. It has strong connection to france
(becoming an ally at one point against england) and to england, under the influence kindda. In
1290, at the time of Edward the first, succession issues. Edward claimed the overlording, to choose
the next king of Scotland.
The Scottish Rebellion
Bad decision dude, he chose John Balliol. They came into conflit. In 1297 William Wallace (french
speaking nobleman norman) led a scottish army to victory at Stirling. In 1298 english victory,
wehre wallace was exectuted. Yet the war continued, the scottish won, after the death of edward I.
Robert the Bruce defeated the english army at the battle of BANNOCKBURN in 1314. The scottish
successfuly defended their independance.
An independent Scotland, 1314-1707
Scottish has a huge sense of independence or rivalry against england. The leader sent a letter to the
pope, The Declaration of Arbroath, in 1320, its like a declaration of independence. They do not
want to be english.

II. Conflict with France

The hundred years war, 1337-1453
It opposes England and France. This war is the result of a territorial claims from the english, in
norman and angevin periods. At the end of the war the english lost their territories.
The causes of the war
King Jean smells like shit, France an ally of Scotland since 1295. The main cause of the dispute is
that Jean, bcause of family history is also the duke of Gascony. In england he is the boss
(technically) in france he is supposed to be underneath the king of france. He has to pay hommage
to the king of france. In the course of this dispute confiscated Gascogny/ALSO CALLED
AQUITAINE in 1337. Check diapo et cours médiéval du même jour.
Period of English victories
Early english victories = Crécy (1346), Poitiers (1356).
English Victories during the reign of Henry the V = battle of Agincourt (1415) = captured
Normandy 1419. By 1420 paris was captured by H V. The Treaty of Troyes (1420) promises H V
would be king of France when the French king died. H V died first i cant even (1422). The deal was
canceled.
French revival and victory
Henry VI (king of england 1422-1461) = religion education, dont want war and governing. During
is his reign, Joan of Arc inspired French revival. Burnt to death in 1431. The duke of Burgundy
(Bourgogne) abandoned thei alliance w english. in 1450 normandy was recaptured by France.
Gascony was lost by England in 1453. War is expensive both in money and men, and France won.
Consequences of the war
taxes went up a lot, cause bankrupt was near. Taxes multiplications lead to the increasing of power
and influence of the Parliament (made of the aristocraty)? The only remaining enlgish territory was
Calais (lost in 1558). England is more insular now, with a stronger sense of English indentity in the
aristocraty w symbol (St George). This is the end of the very close conection made by the normans
between this two teritory. The aristocraty also began to speak english rather than french. Parting
away, dramatic music. England and France became rivals until the start of the 20th century.
III. England
The english economy is very strongly connected to sheep, cause of wool.
The Black Death, 1348-50
Known as the Great Mortality, or Great Pestilence. It has affected most of europe and beteween a
third and a quarter of the population died, particularly children. At least 1 million of the 4 millions
of the english population died. It returned in 1360-62. It is a cataclysm. Apocalyspe. Dramatic
social changes bcause a quarter of the population died. It is connected to

1381 : The Peasant’s Revolt

It is the result of the hundred y war and the plague. Large areas an England were affected by an
uprising of peasants and rural artistans. Led by Wat Tyler, they were protesting against high taxes
of the 100 y war and the harsh laws and low, fixed wages in the countryside since the Black death.
All of the aristocrty agreed to keep waged low, peasant couldnt expect better pay if they go
elsewere in the country. The peasants marched on London. The 14 yo king Richard II personally
confronted the rebels and they dispersed. Richard spoke english, speaking the language of the
people to them. The king promised them that he would get em what they want if they go home. the
king sent his forces to arrest the leader and execute him. Nevertheless its a shock for the power. The
monarchy bcame a lil more cautious about taxes. This event is now the source of inspiration for
later mouvement, like the socialists.
BUT ALSO
English litterature
important literacy work : Geoffrey Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales, c. 1387-90, William Langland,
Piers Plowman, c. 1370-1390. It was written in english, putting the basis of the english we talk
today. The french and english language, as the germanic thingies merged.
Conclusion :
By the end of the fifteen century, we have a english state that domniates wales but not scotland, that
has lost his french connection, english state w an english speaking monarchy aristocraty and
litterature, acquired a strong ruling dynasty after a period of crisis, civil war and conflict.

Henry VII and the foundation of the Tudor

Dynasty
Introduction
Henry VII was the first monarch of the Tudor dynasty. He has very lil legitimacy. He is a usurper,
seized power in 1485 during the “Wars of the Roses”. He overcame challenges and consolidated his
family’s power. He succed in his aim to pass on the crown to a male heir =successor
I. “The Wars of the Roses” and Henry VII’s Seizure of Power
Two house were in rivalry= the House of York and the House of Lancaster
A Contested Crown
since 1399 the crown of england had been disputed between two branches of the Planyagenet
dynasty. York and Lancaster. Each branch claimed to be the legitimate successor. It was during the
hundred years war check diapo.

The Wars of Roses, 1453-1487

A series of civil wars began in England in 1453. • The nobility of England was divided in their
support of the two families. • In thirty years time there were five violent changes of monarch. • The
term “the Wars of the Roses” was not invented until the nineteenth century

Richard III, 1483-1485

An unpopular king • Richard III seized power in 1483. • He imprisoned (and probably murdered)
hisown nephews, who were the direct successors to the throne. • These actions revived the “Wars of
the Roses” after a period of relative peace. • He was killed in battle in 1485. His body was found ten
years ago under a car park wtf. • He was the last king of the Plantagenet dynasty.

Who was Henry Tudor?

• The Tudor family was a minor aristocratic family from Wales. • Through his mother’s family,
Henry Tudor was connected to the House of Lancaster, and had a weak claim to the throne. • When
the House of York was in power, he was a fugitive: he had lived in exile in Brittany (la bretagne)
since the age of 14. He is an unexpected challenger. • In 1485 he organised an invasion to try to
seize power from the unpopular king Richard III

Invasion and victory

• Henry Tudor landed in West Wales with a small army of Scottish and French supporters. • As he
marched through Wales, he gathered an army of around 5,000 men. • His army met that of Richard
III at Bosworth Field, near Leicester, on 22 August 1485. • King Richard III was defeated and
killed, and many nobles abandoned Richard III during the battle. He escaped without a hors “my
kingdom for a horse!”. • Henry Tudor was declared king as Henry VII • He was cheered when he
entered London, as a result of Richard III’s unpopularity

II. The Consolidation of the Power by Henry VII

Securing the succession
Henry’s strategy to win over the aristocracy : • He rewarded his supporters with land and titles • By
dating his reign from the day before the battle, his enemies were accused of treason Defeating
opposition (1486-1487) : • He defeated Yorkist rebellions in 1486 and 1487 • The Wars of the
Roses were effectively over Reconciliation through marriage : • He married Elizabeth of York,
uniting the houses of York and Lancaster. • A male successor, Prince Arthur, was born in 1489.

The Tudor State after 1485

• Henry VII built a stronger, more centralized state administration • He rebuilt the state finances
through taxes and cautious spending • He increased the power of the monarchy over the (weakened)
regional nobility • He called Parliaments to secure its support and to raise funds • He avoided
foreign conflicts, building diplomatic and trade links Reputation of being cautious and a good
politician.

Pretenders to the throne

The main threat to Henry came from people who claimed to be the legitimate successors of the
House of York • The most dangerous was Perkin Warbeck, a merchant from Flanders, who claimed
to be one of Richard III’s missing nephews. • Warbeck had the support of foreign rulers: Margaret
of Burgundy and James IV of Scotland • Warbeck tried to exploit a rebellion in Cornwall in 1497,
but was defeated. He was executed in 1499 • Another Yorkist claimant, Edmund de la Pole, was
imprisoned in 1506. Henry VII isn’t taking any chances of being overthrowned.

Foreign Relations
Henry sought to maintain good relations with European powers and to gain international
recognition for his rule. He is securing his status and his family. • France and Burgundy, though
hostile, both recognised him as king by 1496. • He arranged the marriage of his son, Arthur, to a
Spanish princess, Catherine of Aragon, in 1501. • After a period of hostility, he arranged the
marriage of his daughter Margaret to James IV of Scotland
The Spanish connection Prince Arthur died in 1502, so his brother Henry became heir to the throne.
Prince Henry married his brother’s widow, Catherine of Aragon, in 1509, to maintain the
connection with Spain.

III. The Early Reign of Henry VIII

A Secure Transition of Power
When Henry VII died in 1509, his son became king as Henry VIII. • This was the first uncontested
succession in decades. Henry VIII quickly sought to solidify his power. • Two days after the
coronation, Henry VIII had two of his fathers most unpopular ministers arrested and executed. “I’m
in charge now lmao.” • He also pardoned several subjects who had been accused of crimes by his
father = he is trying to win the support of those dudes, showing he is also diffrent to his father.

The Young King

Henry was educated, ambitious and energetic. The contrary to his father. • He could write and speak
in English, French and Latin, and studied theology and astronomy = renaissance prince. • He wrote
poetry and composed music, including the song ‘Pastime in good company’. • He was tall and
athletic, excelling at hunting, jousting (= la joute), archery and tennis (the word comes from
“tenez”). • He was less cautious with money than his father, spending lavishly on entertainments
and military campaigns. He is doing what his father avoided = starting conflicts.

Foreign ambitious
The young king was keen to win military glory and make England a major international player. • He
believed he had a claim to the crown of France and hoped to win back lost territories. • However,
several expensive military campaigns in France brought few gains. • In 1520 Henry met French
king François I, at the Field of the Cloth of Gold, 18 days of banquets and tournaments intended to
improve relations and impress his rival. They built a city of tents, feasts celebrating this meeting. It
was supposed to symbolise the equality between the two powers. It didn’t last long. • War broke out
with France again in 1522. Henry VIII didnt have a good relationship wtith the Holy Saint Empire

Conclusion
Henry VII (1485-1509) • His position had been weak in 1485, but by 1509 it was secure. • He
strengthened the power of the monarchy over the nobility, secured the position of his dynasty and
gained international recognition. Henry VIII’s Early Reign, since 1509 • Henry secured power in
England after his father’s death and was widely admired. • Despite his international ambitions,
Henry’s efforts to play a more important role in European affairs were frustrated. The most famous
thing that Henry VII did was to change the whole religion of the country. He made himself the king
of the church.
10/03

Henry VIII and the Reformation, 1509-1547

Introduction The major religious change of this early modern period, which has marked the history
of britain ever since. Today in britain, the queen of britain is also the leader of the officical state
church. The church isnt seperated from the gouvernment but is also incarnated in one person. It
creates conflict every time there is a succession, instability = everything depends on this one person.
It begin with Henry VIII. He is a strong and powerful king, with a strong and centralised state. He
created the church of England, same thing as the Anglican church. As a result England became a
protestant state. Every time the king changes tho, the religion changes too. Check genealogy diapo.
We can see several changes in religion following the reign of Henry VIII, with his successors.
When you unite the church and the monarch, you create a potential instability, as all the power is in
one people’s hand. Henry’s familiy life was complicated. Henry had famously six wives. The whole
decision to change the religion is connected to this family problem.

I. The Reformation
One of the aspect of protestantism is having the hoy text in your own language rather than latin.
William Tyndale’English Bible, in 1527, is a godd example. English is the language of the
monarchy, of the people and the church as of this tumultuous time.

Martin Luther
He was a german monk who published 95 theses that criticised the catholic church in 1517. He
critisiced that the church had a huge amount of money, and wealth, contradicting some ideas in the
Bible. In particular, the fact that ou could pay money in ordrer to be forgiven for your sins =
monetary penance. Luther didnt want to divide church, but to reform it. These critics wernt accepted
by the Pope, who excommunicated him in 1521. He wanted the texte of the Bible to be accessible, it
shouldnt be privatise by the Church. Luther’s ideas spread quickly in Europe including in the
kingdom of Britain. In 1520’s, some scholars (teachers in uni) were following he ideas, particullary
in Cambridge. William Tyndale translated the Bible in English between the years 1522-1527.
Tyndale was banned from publishing it at the begining. He was only able to publish his Bible in
Germany (strong connection w the two). The King was against it.

Protestantism
Differences were debated and discussed during this time. Protestantism focus more on the text of
the Bible, you should study the text yourself. Religious services are in vernacular languages (more
understandable, less mysterious and impressive). There is also fewer symbols, statues, ceremonies
(no saints, objetcs, icons, holy relics and whatnot) more austere. The book in the main focus. No
obligation for celibacy for priest. Luther was married himself, the religious person arent appart from
the society. There is no closed convent, monastery. Religious people live in society. Protestanism
doesn’t recognised the authority of the Pope. The idea is that the religion is a relationship btween
the individual and God, without any complicated institution in between.

The Reformation in Europe

As the ideas of Luther spread, check map, it reached northen germany and scandinavia. Jean Calvin
was a french refomer based in Geneva, beliving in predestination, strong influence in Switzerland,
part of France and the Nertherland. In scotland it’s differnt, check John Knox, main figure of the
reformation in scotland (1560).

II. Henry VIII and the break from Rome

Henry VIII, King of England, 1509-1547
Henry VIII was originaly against protestantism, the pope named him the defender of the faith. This
title is still used today (check diapo). H8 married his brother’s wife when the later died.

Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon

Aged 17 Henry 8 married her. She had four miscarriages, 2 children died in infancy, only one
daughter survived (Mary). This is common during this time but this is disappointing for H8. He
thought God was punishing him, as the Bible condemned this type of marriages (marrying his
brothers wife). In 1528 he appears before the Pope to annul his marriage, the Pope refused, he was
influence by the family of Catherine of Aragon, a very powerful spanish family, the Habsbourg.

The Break from Rome, 1529-1534

The religious representative of the pope in England was dismissed in consequence, the Cardinal
Thomas Wolsey, this status is like a prime minister. Instead, Henry took protestant advisors :
Thomas Cromwell and Thomas Cranmer (the later is the archbishop of Canterbury). They tried to
annul Henry’s marriage, trying to conviced the English bishops, they were persuaded to make
Henry the head of the Church of England. Henry married Anne Boleyn in 1533. Henry and Cranmer
were excommunicated, expelled from Church.

The Church of England, the Act of Supremacy, 1534

This is the law that made the king of england officialy the head of the church of england. Henry
VIII is now head of the church. If you refused to acknowledge the supremacy of the king, you’re at
risk. Thomas Moore was executed because of that. What does this new religious boss wants to do
with his new acquiered authority? A limited Reformation began during Henry’s reign. The fact is
the king can do what he wants, he killed his differents wives, divorced some etc. As the only
legitimate leader of the church he had a lot of liberty.

III. The Reformation under Henry VIII

The dissolution of monasteries, between 1536 and 1539...
560 monasteries and others religious houses were closed, their land and their wealth were
appropriated by the Church (and usually sold). Those places were economic centers before. His aim
was to get some support from people whom he sold the lands to. Those who had bought land or
receiced church wouldnt return to Catholicism. Henry is taking personnal and political advantages
of this religious acts. Though we dont see any theological thinsgs. Opposition to this policy : “The
pilgrimage of grace” (1536-1537) = rebellion.

New Religious doctrine

There was a lil, limited, theological of religious reformation in the time of Henry VIII.
Corresponding of the ideas of Luther. They adopted some elements of the Lutheran doctrine. BUT
Henry VIII was an opponent of Luther? In this new context, his advisors were protestants. They
wanted the English Church to resemble the Lutheran one. The Great Bible was published in 1539,
and the Book of Common Prayer in 1549 = 2 books for all England = uniformity. Henry VIII
rejected some holy relics, and some miracles and saint (supersticious) elements. However H8 didnt
want to go very far. In 1539, the parliament passed Six Articles which reaffirmed some Roman
Catholic practices doctrine = confession to priest, Clerical celibacy, Transubstantiation (= when the
wine and the bread in church during the communion, idea of wine is litteraly the blood of the christ,
bread the body of christ).
Conclusion à reprendre
H8 = practical, personal motivation Huge impact on english religion, culture, society. After his
death we see more radical changes.