OCR Specification focus:
‘government in the absence of Richard; the role of Hubert Walter; Walter as Archbishop of Canterbury; Richard and the Church..’
Richard I’s reign in England saw his prolonged absence abroad, creating a unique leadership challenge. Authority was delegated, notably to Hubert Walter, shaping governance, Church relations, and Crown stability.
Government in the Absence of Richard
Richard I spent much of his reign away from England, primarily due to the Third Crusade (1189–1192) and his subsequent imprisonment by the Duke of Austria and Holy Roman Emperor (1192–1194). This left a vacuum in leadership at the heart of the English kingdom.
Reliance on deputies: With Richard absent, governance was maintained by capable ministers such as Hubert Walter, who served as both Archbishop of Canterbury and Chief Justiciar.
Exterior statue of Hubert Walter, Archbishop of Canterbury (1193–1205). Walter combined ecclesiastical leadership with the office of Chief Justiciar, coordinating royal finance, justice and policy during Richard’s absence. The image visually reinforces his central position in crown–church governance. Source
Financial strain: Richard’s absences placed heavy demands on royal finances, as funds were required to pay his ransom and sustain warfare abroad.
Political consequences: The king’s absence heightened opportunities for baronial unrest and ambitious plotting by Richard’s brother, John, who sought to increase his power.
Chief Justiciar: The leading royal official in England, effectively the king’s deputy, responsible for governance, justice, and administration during the monarch’s absence.
The Role of Hubert Walter
Hubert Walter as Justiciar
Hubert Walter was appointed Chief Justiciar in 1193. His leadership was critical in preserving order and maintaining the machinery of government during Richard’s absence.
He reorganised royal administration to ensure smooth functioning.
His use of itinerant justices expanded the reach of royal law across England.
He played a pivotal role in raising Richard’s ransom, using taxation and Church resources.
Hubert Walter as Archbishop of Canterbury
In 1193, Hubert Walter also became Archbishop of Canterbury, uniting ecclesiastical authority with political power.
This dual role allowed him to enforce Church loyalty while serving the Crown.
He navigated the delicate balance between royal service and papal authority, particularly during a period of wider Papal reform movements.
His leadership strengthened the alignment between the English Church and the monarchy.
Archbishop of Canterbury: The senior bishop in the English Church, with authority over the English clergy and significant influence in both religious and political matters.
Richard and the Church
Richard’s Relationship with the Church
Though often absent, Richard maintained a pragmatic relationship with the Church. His reliance on its resources and officials demonstrates the Crown’s dependency on ecclesiastical structures.
Financial support: The Church provided funds through taxation, tithes, and extraordinary levies to pay for the king’s ransom and military campaigns.
Moral legitimacy: As a crusading monarch, Richard benefitted from the Church’s endorsement, which enhanced his prestige as a Christian warrior-king.
Tensions: Despite cooperation, conflicts occasionally arose over appointments and papal influence, highlighting the complex interplay between secular and ecclesiastical power.
The Role of Walter in Church-State Relations
Hubert Walter embodied the close ties between the Crown and the Church:
He secured papal backing for the king’s policies while ensuring clerical obedience to royal demands.
His leadership helped to stabilise the kingdom, presenting the Church as both a spiritual and administrative pillar of royal government.
By fostering cooperation between the Crown and ecclesiastical authorities, he mitigated potential instability during Richard’s absence.
Leadership Challenges and Strategies
Maintaining Authority in England
Richard’s absence created challenges for the maintenance of royal authority, which required careful governance and innovative strategies:
Use of taxation: New fiscal measures, such as the carucage (a land tax), were imposed to finance ransom payments.
Central government mechanisms: The Exchequer continued to function effectively under Walter’s oversight, ensuring financial accountability.
A page from the 1194 Pipe Roll, the Exchequer’s annual audit record listing debts, payments and fines by shire. Such rolls evidence how revenues were monitored and enforced under royal ministers like Walter. The manuscript includes Latin entries and Exchequer abbreviations beyond the syllabus’s core, but these details help students see the document’s working form. Source
Control of rebellion: Potential unrest, especially from John, was curtailed by Walter’s enforcement of royal justice and political pressure.
Legacy of Hubert Walter’s Leadership
Walter’s tenure as both Justiciar and Archbishop demonstrated how strong administrative leadership could preserve royal power even in the monarch’s extended absence.
His governance set precedents for balancing secular and ecclesiastical duties.
The blending of Church and state roles under his leadership showcased the adaptability of medieval English government.
His work ensured continuity of authority, preventing the kingdom from descending into disorder during a vulnerable period.
Key Points for Study
Richard I’s absence from England necessitated a reliance on deputies, especially Hubert Walter.
Walter’s combined role as Chief Justiciar and Archbishop of Canterbury was crucial in preserving order and maintaining the loyalty of both secular and ecclesiastical institutions.
The Church’s role was indispensable, both financially and politically, in supporting the Crown during crises.
Richard’s kingship illustrates the challenges of absentee monarchy and the importance of strong ministerial leadership in sustaining medieval governance.
FAQ
Walter had served Richard during the Third Crusade, where he gained administrative and diplomatic experience. This exposure to complex political and financial challenges equipped him to handle the burdens of justiciarship in England.
His knowledge of royal finances and the Church’s resources made him particularly effective in raising revenue and maintaining authority, ensuring continuity of government when Richard was away.
Walter implemented innovative fiscal measures, including:
A land tax (the carucage) levied on ploughland.
Heavy contributions from the Church, through extraordinary clerical taxation.
The sale of royal offices and privileges to wealthy barons.
These methods were unpopular but highly effective, demonstrating Walter’s ability to balance financial necessity with political stability.
Typically, ecclesiastical and secular authority were separated, but Walter’s appointment as both Archbishop of Canterbury and Chief Justiciar blurred this line.
This combination meant he simultaneously led the English Church and the machinery of royal justice. It was unusual because it concentrated enormous power in one figure, highlighting both Richard’s trust in him and the need for extraordinary measures during prolonged royal absence.
Walter restructured the system of itinerant justices, sending royal judges into the counties to enforce law more consistently.
He also standardised procedures, helping to expand the reach of Common Law and limiting baronial autonomy. This not only increased royal control but also ensured that justice was seen to function effectively, bolstering loyalty to the Crown.
The Church portrayed Richard as a divinely sanctioned ruler and crusader, bolstering his prestige even in his absence.
Clerical support was essential in persuading local populations and barons to comply with royal taxation. Sermons and public messages stressed loyalty to the Crown as a Christian duty, ensuring that Richard’s kingship retained legitimacy despite his prolonged absence.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks)
Who was Hubert Walter and what dual role did he hold during the reign of Richard I?
Mark Scheme:
1 mark for identifying Hubert Walter as Archbishop of Canterbury.
1 mark for identifying Hubert Walter as Chief Justiciar (king’s deputy in governance).
Question 2 (6 marks)
Explain how Hubert Walter helped to maintain royal authority in England during Richard I’s absence.
Mark Scheme:
1–2 marks: Basic description, e.g. general statement that Walter governed in Richard’s absence.
3–4 marks: Clear explanation with some detail, e.g. mentioning taxation for the ransom or use of itinerant justices.
5–6 marks: Developed explanation with specific examples, such as:
Raising Richard’s ransom through taxation and Church resources (1–2 marks).
Extending royal justice by organising itinerant justices (1–2 marks).
Overseeing the Exchequer to ensure financial accountability (1–2 marks).
Candidates should demonstrate knowledge of both Walter’s administrative and ecclesiastical authority. Maximum marks for covering at least two distinct aspects with supporting detail.
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