Consequences of restoring royal authority

Henry allowed Hugh Bigod to take back castles which had been confiscated in 1157. However, over the next 8 years Henry built his own castle nearby at Orford, designed to constantly remind Bigod that the King had the ultimate power in the Kingdom. Henry's method pushed Bigod too far, as he was a leading rebel in the Great Revolt.

Angered the barons through his unprecedented intrusion to the affairs of England's great men - In 1166 Cartae Baronum he demanded a written list of the tenant-in-chief who owned oaths of loyalty to the king, and how much scutage could be placed on the tenants-in-chief for their knights.

The barons felt controlled by the power Henry was asserting, restricting their independence.

The barons often held power through the use of castles. However after 1154 Henry II destroyed many, deemed to be 'illegal'. Those who retained their castles were often reminded of their inferior and subordinate status, as Henry built 'new' castles near by - Hugh Bigod...

Henry pushed his barons to rebel through his obtrusive and abrasive policies through his restoration of royal authority

The King needed the support of the nobility if he was to govern effectively, and he needed to control his most powerful men

The Positives- Few barons were placed under much financial pressure by the crown. Scutage sometimes had to be paid sometimes, but although Henry had 9 opportunities to exact a fine or relief for a succession yo an earldom, he did so only once- In terms of financial pressure on the barons, Henry's rule was very different to John's which lead to Magna CartaBarons also benefited from the peace, enabling them to re-establish a hold over knightly tenants- Carpenter argues that in reviving royal authority Henry stuck a delicate balance between taking and giving

New Page