legal means connected to the law, for example, legal advice

an Assize was a royal court which travelled across England judging on local matters

authority is the power or ability to control or demand obedience

reform is when you make changes to improve something

common law is developed from previous judgements rather than laws made by politicians

Henry II's legal reforms

History

In this unit, pupils have studied a successful period of royal consolidation. In 'The Wars of the Roses: what does it tell us about fifteenth-century England?', pupils will consider how periods of royal consolidation were not always durable in medieval England and explain how royal power proved volatile in the 15th century, experiencing both stability and instability.

In 'The Norman Conquest: how do we know about the impact of the Conquest on England?', pupils explained some of the ways William I consolidated his power in England. In this unit, pupils will think about some similar methods employed by Henry II and use this to evaluate the extent of royal consolidation.

In this unit, pupils learn about England and the Angevin Empire under Henry II's rule. They then use their knowledge of Henry's rule to evaluate the degree to which he was a successful king.

England under Henry II: how successfully did Henry reassert royal authority?

True or false? Before Henry II, the law was the same across all local courts in England.

They were a set of laws that governed the Church in England.

They established the principles of trial by ordeal.

They were written royal orders used by travelling courts.

They focused on the regulation of trade and commerce.

Which of the following statements most accurately describes the Assizes?

Starting with the earliest, sort these stages into the order required for court cases to become common law.

Which important legal concept did Henry increase the use of?

Write the missing word. Henry II’s reforms to the English legal system established the foundation of English common __________ , still in use today.

What was the name of the wax item attached to written royal orders?

True or false? When Henry II became King, France was a unified nation.

when parts are united together and controlled from one place

when somebody is loyal to a lord or monarch

the area of land controlled by a duke or duchess

Match the keywords with the correct definitions.

Write the missing word. Henry II's mother was Empress __________ . 

Select the statement which most accurately describes Henry II's actions after the Anarchy.

Going forward, English monarchs claimed to be the rightful rulers of Ireland.

Going forward, Irish monarchs claimed to be the rightful rulers of Ireland.

Going forward, Welsh monarchs claimed to be the rightful rulers of Ireland.

How did Henry II's invasion of Ireland mark the beginning of English influence and control over the island?

Henry II was married to which powerful queen?

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Henry II's legal reforms

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.