Power and authority keywords

The (Catholic) Church – Europe-wide organisation led by the Pope, based in Rome; apart from a small number of Jews and some Muslims in Spain, the people of medieval Europe were Christians, who followed the teachings of the Catholic Church

Archbishop of Canterbury – the most senior leader in the Church in England

Bishop – senior leaders in the church, often advisors to kings

Barons – leading landowners, advisors to the king, their support enabled the king to exercise control in the localities

Bishop – senior leaders in the church, often advisors to kings

Council – group of the king’s advisers

Heir – person with recognised right to succeed to the throne, usually eldest son

Authority – the right to rule or control, for example based on inheritance and/or acquired via coronation

Power – the ability to rule and control, for example using army, support of powerful landowners (barons), exercise of justice via courts and judges etc.

Coronation – a ceremony in which a leading bishop, in England usually the Archbishop of Canterbury, anointed the monarch with holy oil and placed the crown on their head; interpreted to show God’s approval.

Counsel – advice given to the king

Magna Carta – the ‘Great Charter’, a list of rules drawn up by the barons for the king to abide by