Strengths and Weaknesses of Henry II's position at his accession

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Created on: 14-02-21 11:05


	Strengths and Weaknesses of Henry II's position at his accession
	Advantages Many of the more powerful earls in the period of the civil war had died in the early 1150s e.g. Ranulf of Chester Death of David I of Scotland in 1153 and the succession of his 12y/o grandson Malcolm made it much easier for Henry to renege on his agreement to grant Northumbria to David when Henry became king of England. Eustace of Boulogne had died in 1153 leading to Stephen's agreement to the Treaty of Winchester and Henry establishing himself unopposed as Stephen's heir Henry had been adopted by Stephen and his position was greatly strengthened by his dynastic claim to the throne. Figure that barons could rally around e.g. Robert of Beaumont. Theobald of Bec, ABC, supported the Angevin succession - support of the powerful Church important as it had demonstrated its influence by crowning Stephen in 1135	Disadvantages Exchequer system undermined during anarchy. Ability of central government to tax people as recoreded in pipe rolls diminished. Justice-in-eyre system develoepd by Henry I had broken down. King's writ did not run in some areas especially in vast swathes or western and northern England. Corruption of the sheriffs. Stephen's remaining family posed potential threats to Henry's throne. Stephen's younger son William of Boulogne was a potential claimant. Stephen's brother Henry of Blois was the richest and most powerful English bishop. English barons had encroached on the royal demesne. This had diminished royal land and financial strength. Many adulterine castles had been built. Owain Gwynedd was at the height of his power in North Wales, putting the north-west of England at considerable risk.
	Evaluation In conclusion, Henry II was stronger upon his accession. However, to establish strong kingship, Henry had to face considerable challenges caused by the chaos of the so-called anarchy during Stephen's reign. Principal to the debate is the dynastic strength of Henry's claim to the throne, coupled with the deaths of key supporters of Stephen. Through his grandfather, Henry I, he was a direct descendent of the throne and through the Treaty of Winchester had been adopted as Stephen's son. Many of the powerful earls in the period of the civil war had died in the early 1150s, for example, Ranulf of Chester. Of least significance is the threat of Stephen's remaining family, because Henry had rewarded William of Bologne generously with vast titles stretching across the Anglo-Norman realm. William was also more pragmatic than his elder brother Eustace and had observed the toll taken on him from pursuing Henry. This factor, combined with the death of many of Stephen's key supporters, made a last-ditch attempt for the crown unlikely.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Henry II's position at his accession

Advantages

Many of the more powerful earls in the period of the civil war had died in the early 1150s e.g. Ranulf of Chester
Death of David I of Scotland in 1153 and the succession of his 12y/o grandson Malcolm made it much easier for Henry to renege on his agreement to grant Northumbria to David when Henry became king of England.
Eustace of Boulogne had died in 1153 leading to Stephen's agreement to the Treaty of Winchester and Henry establishing himself unopposed as Stephen's heir
Henry had been adopted by Stephen and his position was greatly strengthened by his dynastic claim to the throne. Figure that barons could rally around e.g. Robert of Beaumont.
Theobald of Bec, ABC, supported the Angevin succession - support of the powerful Church important as it had demonstrated its influence by crowning Stephen in 1135

Disadvantages

Exchequer system undermined during anarchy. Ability of central government to tax people as recoreded in pipe rolls diminished.
Justice-in-eyre system develoepd by Henry I had broken down.
King's writ did not run in some areas especially in vast swathes or western and northern England.
Corruption of the sheriffs.
Stephen's remaining family posed potential threats to Henry's throne. Stephen's younger son William of Boulogne was a potential claimant. Stephen's brother Henry of Blois was the richest and most powerful English bishop.
English barons had encroached on the royal demesne. This had diminished royal land and financial strength.
Many adulterine castles had been built.
Owain Gwynedd was at the height of his power in North Wales, putting the north-west of England at considerable risk.

Evaluation

In conclusion, Henry II was stronger upon his accession. However, to establish strong kingship, Henry had to face considerable challenges caused by the chaos of the so-called anarchy during Stephen's reign. Principal to the debate is the dynastic strength of Henry's claim to the throne, coupled with the deaths of key supporters of Stephen. Through his grandfather, Henry I, he was a direct descendent of the throne and through the Treaty of Winchester had been adopted as Stephen's son. Many of the powerful earls in the period of the civil war had died in the early 1150s, for example, Ranulf of Chester. Of least significance is the threat of Stephen's remaining family, because Henry had rewarded William of Bologne generously with vast titles stretching across the Anglo-Norman realm. William was also more pragmatic than his elder brother Eustace and had observed the toll taken on him from pursuing Henry. This factor, combined with the death of many of Stephen's key supporters, made a last-ditch attempt for the crown unlikely.

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Strengths and Weaknesses of Henry II's position at his accession