New
New
Year 7

Henry II and the Angevin Empire

I can describe Henry II’s control over the Angevin Empire after the Anarchy.

New
New
Year 7

Henry II and the Angevin Empire

I can describe Henry II’s control over the Angevin Empire after the Anarchy.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Henry II attempted to restore his royal lands after the Anarchy
  2. Henry ruled over an area of Western Europe known as the Angevin Empire
  3. The Angevin Empire was a collection of separate lands, each with their own local traditions and leadership
  4. Henry II oversaw an invasion of Ireland in 1169, with the support of the Pope
  5. Kings of England subsequently claimed to be rightful rulers of Ireland

Keywords

  • Anarchy - when there is no government in society this is known as anarchy; it means political or social disorder

  • Centralise - to centralise is when separate parts are brought together so that they are organised or controlled from one place

  • Empire - a group of countries or provinces ruled from the centre by one person or a group of people is known as an empire

  • Duchy - the area of land controlled by a duke or duchess is known as a duchy

  • Allegiance - when somebody is loyal to a lord or monarch, this is allegiance

Common misconception

That France existed as a unified nation.

"Modern-day France" did not exist yet, instead the area we know as France, was actually a collection of separate lands/duchies .

Use medieval manuscripts to develop pupils’ sense of period. An illustration which shows the act of swearing allegiance, demonstrates the obligations around medieval kingship. Henry II needed to secure allegiance across the Angevin Empire.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Put these people in the order of how powerful they were in Medieval England, starting with the most powerful.
1 - king
2 - knight
3 - peasant
Q2.
William the Conqueror was duke of which duchy?
Anjou
Correct answer: Normandy
Wessex
Q3.
Match the words with the correct definitions.
Correct Answer:invasion,to enter a country by force with large numbers of soldiers

to enter a country by force with large numbers of soldiers

Correct Answer:succession,a process in which someone automatically inherits the throne

a process in which someone automatically inherits the throne

Correct Answer:empire ,when one person or group rules over many countries

when one person or group rules over many countries

Q4.
What percentage of the land did the Church own in medieval England?
0%
15%
Correct answer: 25%
Q5.
Which 1066 battle was fought between the Normans and Anglo-Saxons?
Correct answer: Battle of Hastings
Battle of Hertford
Battle of Stamford Bridge
Q6.
What is the definition of a 'claim'?
Correct answer: to make a demand, to set out your rights to something
to make a submission, to deny your rights to something

6 Questions

Q1.
What term was given to the civil war that took place prior to Henry II becoming king?
Correct answer: The Anarchy
The Apathy
The Autarchy
Q2.
What was Henry II's empire known as?
Austrian Empire
Angel Empire
Correct answer: Angevin Empire
Q3.
Why was Henry II's empire difficult to rule?
The empire was divided into duchies, each of which had their own flag.
The empire was divided into duchies, each of which had their own food.
Correct answer: The empire was divided into duchies, and each had their own duke or duchess.
Q4.
Which of the following best explains Henry II's involvement in Ireland?
What started as Henry II's invasion, ended with Irish independence.
What started as Henry II's invasion, ended with an Irish invasion of England.
Correct answer: What started as an Irish rebellion, ended with Henry II's invasion.
Q5.
What word best describes being loyal to a lord or monarch?
Correct answer: allegiance
arrogance
appeasement
Q6.
What is the name of the territory controlled by a duke or duchess?
dukeshire
Correct answer: duchy
duchland

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