Attempts to consolidate royal authority after the Great Rebellion: court and family tensions; the barons; the royal finances; justice and the law
After crushing the Great Rebellion of 1173–74, Henry II worked to rebuild his power across four areas: his fractured family, the barons, royal income, and the legal system.
Real World
Henry's expansion of the Exchequer and use of itinerant justices — royal judges sent on circuits across England — can be compared to a modern central government deploying inspectors to audit and regulate local authorities, bypassing powerful regional figures.
Exam Focus
Link Henry's legal and financial reforms explicitly back to the problem of baronial power; reforms presented in isolation will not score highly for analysis.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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