Concetti Chiave
- Edward the 3rd initiated the Hundred Years' War, claiming the French throne through his mother's lineage.
- His reign saw the rise of the middle class and the establishment of trade bills to protect shared interests.
- The era experienced the devastating plague of 1348, significantly reducing urban populations.
- Richard the 2nd's rule was marked by misgovernment and heavy taxation, leading to his deposition by Parliament.
- Henry the 4th was the first king appointed by Parliament, marking a shift in recognizing parliamentary power and privileges.
Edward the 3rd and the Hundred Years' War
The first important successor of Edward I st was Edward the 3rd, during whose reign some important events occurred: first of all the Hundred Years'War against France. This war broke out because Edward 3rd claimed the throne of France because his mother was the daughter of Philip the Fair.
Edward the 3rd was also responsible with his behavior/conduct for the rising of the middle class and the foundation of the first trade bills (associations/corporations of people who work in the same field and have got the same interests to protect like artisans, smiths, shoemakers).
Under his reign the formation of this class was defined.
Tragic events and revolutionary movements
During this period took place 2 other events: one of these was extremely tragic/dramatic and is the great plague in 1348 which enormously reduced the population of the citizens in the towns and the rising of the Lollards'revolutionary movement, which actually was suppressed by the king, but it's extremely important because it paved the way for the rise of Protestantism because its aim was to start a process of moralization of the Church and to abolish/cancel every form of corruption.
Richard the 2nd's misgovernment
When he died his grandson took the power, his name was Richard the 2nd. Richard's reign was a period of misgovernment because the peasants/poor were more and more oppressed and actually during his reign he introduced a new tax. According to this new law that passed during his reign any family inside which there was a 15 years old male had to pay 15 shillings for each male over 15 years-old of age.
He went on ruling the country in a very despotic way in spite of the peasants'revolt and he was the 1st king to be deposed by the Parliament.
Henry the 4th and parliamentary power
His successor was the 1st king to be elected/appointed by the Parliament: Henry the 4th (1399-1413). He wasn't the direct heir of the king, he was his cousin and belonged to the Lancaster's Family.
He was the first to understand/have clear in his mind that he had to respect it and its privileges. Its coming to the throne marks the exact moment when the crown becomes aware of its own limits in favor of the privileges acquired by the parliament up to that time.
Domande da interrogazione
- What were the key events during Edward the 3rd's reign?
- How did Richard the 2nd's rule impact the peasants and governance?
- What significance did Henry the 4th's ascension to the throne hold for parliamentary power?
Edward the 3rd's reign was marked by the Hundred Years' War against France, the rise of the middle class, and the establishment of trade bills. Additionally, the period saw the tragic Great Plague of 1348 and the Lollards' revolutionary movement, which aimed to reform the Church and laid the groundwork for Protestantism.
Richard the 2nd's reign was characterized by misgovernment, with increased oppression of peasants and the introduction of a new tax targeting families with males over 15 years old. His despotic rule led to a peasants' revolt and ultimately his deposition by Parliament, marking him as the first king to be deposed in this manner.
Henry the 4th's ascension was significant as he was the first king appointed by Parliament, highlighting the growing power and privileges of Parliament. His reign marked a turning point where the crown recognized its limitations in favor of parliamentary authority.
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