OCR Specification focus:
‘the settlement after 1215; rebellion in the 1220s; the roles of Hubert de Burgh and Peter des Roches in government’
The years following the Magna Carta settlement saw political consolidation under Henry III’s regency, renewed unrest in the 1220s, and the influential roles of key ministers in stabilising governance.
The Settlement after 1215
In 1215, England faced deep division after the First Barons’ War. With King John’s death in October 1216, his nine-year-old son Henry III ascended the throne. The regency, led by William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, sought to secure the young king’s position and bring peace.
Key elements of the settlement
Reissue of Magna Carta (November 1216):
Modified from the 1215 version to remove contentious clauses, particularly those limiting royal authority in wartime.
Served as a gesture of goodwill to rebellious barons.
Battle of Lincoln (May 1217):
Marshal’s forces defeated supporters of Prince Louis of France.
Marked a turning point in regaining royal authority.
Map showing the political control and troop movements immediately prior to the Second Battle of Lincoln (20 May 1217). It locates key strongholds, lines of advance, and areas aligned to each side in the First Barons’ War. This context clarifies why Lincoln became the turning point that forced negotiations leading to the Treaty of Lambeth. Source
Treaty of Lambeth (September 1217):
Prince Louis renounced his claim to the English throne in return for financial compensation.
These measures restored stability and enabled the monarchy to function under regency control, while affirming feudal loyalty to the young king.
Rebellions in the 1220s
Although the initial post-1215 years brought peace, unrest returned in the 1220s. This was partly due to the transition from regency to Henry’s personal rule and the politics of his court.
Causes of rebellion
Baronial discontent over perceived favouritism and patronage.
Regional tensions, particularly in Wales and the Welsh Marches, where noble autonomy clashed with royal authority.
Unfinished grievances from the civil war, with some magnates seeking to reassert their influence.
Major incidents
1223–1224 unrest in Wales:
Llywelyn the Great expanded influence, prompting military campaigns by the crown.
1227 assertion of majority:
At the age of 19, Henry declared himself of full age, ending the formal regency.
Some magnates viewed this as an opportunity to challenge the king’s policies.
These disturbances underscored the fragile nature of royal authority and the importance of effective leadership from Henry’s ministers.
Key Ministers in Government
Two leading figures shaped Henry III’s early reign after the regency: Hubert de Burgh and Peter des Roches. Their contrasting approaches and rivalry defined much of the political landscape in the 1220s.
Hubert de Burgh
Position: Justiciar of England from 1215 and later Earl of Kent.
Policies:
Advocated for the rule of law and the application of Magna Carta principles.
Focused on consolidating royal power through careful diplomacy and military defence.
Achievements:
Defence against French forces during the regency.
Rebuilding royal authority after the baronial conflict.
Downfall:
Accused of corruption and misuse of power by political rivals in the late 1220s.
Justiciar: The king’s chief minister and principal administrator of the realm, effectively acting as the head of government in the king’s absence.
Peter des Roches
Position: Bishop of Winchester and close adviser to King John, later to Henry III.
Policies:
Supported a more centralised monarchy with strong royal prerogative.
Advocated favouring foreign (particularly Poitevin) courtiers, which angered some English magnates.
Achievements:
Managed royal finances and secured resources for military campaigns.
Maintained strong connections with the Papacy to bolster Henry’s legitimacy.
Criticism:
Seen as promoting foreign influence at court.
His leadership style fuelled opposition among certain baronial factions.
Peter des Roches (bishop of Winchester) returned to influence in the later 1220s, opposing Hubert de Burgh and promoting a harder line in royal policy.
Tomb effigy of Peter des Roches in Winchester Cathedral. The image situates him as a leading royal minister under John and Henry III, complementing the discussion of his rivalry with Hubert de Burgh and his influence on policy in the late 1220s. The photograph shows architectural surroundings beyond the syllabus scope, but the effigy itself is the focus. Source
Ministerial Rivalry and its Impact
The rivalry between Hubert de Burgh and Peter des Roches created a polarised court:
Hubert’s supporters championed legal reform and the rights of English barons.
Peter’s allies promoted the king’s continental ambitions and ties to foreign-born nobles.
This tension influenced:
Patronage decisions, often seen as politically motivated.
The balance of power in the council, affecting policy direction.
The stability of the realm, as factionalism sometimes translated into open political opposition.
Outcome by the end of the 1220s
Hubert retained significant influence through most of the decade but faced growing challenges from Peter’s faction.
Henry’s increasing personal involvement in governance after 1227 shifted the balance, as he sought to assert independence from both men while still relying on their expertise.
Governance Style in the Early 1230s Transition
By the early 1230s, the dynamics set in the 1220s had lasting consequences:
The precedent of Magna Carta remained central to political discourse, though its interpretation varied between ministers.
The balance between royal prerogative and baronial rights continued to define policy debates.
The influence of strong ministers showed the importance of trusted individuals in mediating between a young monarch and his politically diverse realm.
This period thus established the framework for Henry III’s later governance, with the settlement after 1215 and the political contests of the 1220s shaping his kingship and the role of ministerial leadership in medieval England.
FAQ
The battle ended the effective threat of Prince Louis of France and his baronial allies.
Royalist forces under William Marshal crushed the rebels, lifting the siege of Lincoln Castle and reclaiming much of eastern England.
The victory boosted the legitimacy of Henry III’s minority government.
It forced Louis into negotiations, paving the way for the Treaty of Lambeth, which removed French influence from the succession dispute.
The regency government deliberately modified contentious sections to avoid further disputes.
Key differences included:
Removal of clauses challenging royal control of military and fiscal matters.
Softening of terms that undermined the monarch’s authority.
A focus on legal protections and feudal obligations acceptable to both crown and nobility.
This made the charter a unifying tool rather than a cause for rebellion.
The Papacy provided external legitimacy, recognising Henry as a rightful king.
Papal backing:
Encouraged barons to submit, framing rebellion as disobedience to both king and Church.
Strengthened the regency’s position by tying Henry’s authority to wider Christendom.
Allowed ministers like Peter des Roches to use papal alliances to consolidate influence.
Hubert built his reputation through decisive defence against external enemies.
He repelled French attempts to seize English ports and strengthened coastal defences.
His leadership in naval engagements, such as the Battle of Sandwich (1217), was vital in preventing reinforcements reaching Louis’ forces.
By securing England’s shores, he ensured the monarchy could focus on internal stability.
Des Roches’ background and policies created suspicion and resentment.
He was a Poitevin, and his promotion of other foreign courtiers angered English magnates.
His reliance on papal connections and financial centralisation was seen as undermining local autonomy.
Many barons viewed him as a continuation of John’s unpopular foreign advisers, fuelling distrust and factionalism at court.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks)
Who were the two principal ministers during Henry III’s early reign in the 1220s?
Mark Scheme:
1 mark for identifying Hubert de Burgh.
1 mark for identifying Peter des Roches.
Question 2 (6 marks)
Explain how the settlement after 1215 helped to stabilise Henry III’s kingship.
Mark Scheme:
1–2 marks: Basic description of events (e.g. reissue of Magna Carta, Treaty of Lambeth) with little explanation of impact.
3–4 marks: Some explanation of how measures restored peace, e.g. reissuing Magna Carta placated barons, victory at Lincoln weakened rebels. Limited linkage to stability.
5–6 marks: Developed explanation that directly links actions to stabilising Henry’s kingship, e.g. Magna Carta reassured nobles of their rights, the Treaty of Lambeth removed French threats, military victory at Lincoln secured loyalty. Clear understanding of settlement’s role in restoring royal authority.
