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Year 7

Henry II's church reforms

I can explain why Henry II came into conflict with the Church and how Henry’s reforms reduced the power of the Church.

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New
New
Year 7

Henry II's church reforms

I can explain why Henry II came into conflict with the Church and how Henry’s reforms reduced the power of the Church.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The power of the Church often brought it into conflict with the king’s authority .
  2. If they broke the law, the clergy were only required to attend the Church's own courts.
  3. Henry II appointed Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, to help reform the Church.
  4. Henry wanted to use the Constitutions of Clarendon to increase his control over the Church.
  5. Becket argued with Henry and believed the Church should be free from the king's interference.

Common misconception

Medieval and modern Church power is equivalent.

Explicitly outline the Church's organisational power: land ownership, clergy social status, and spiritual authority.

Keywords

  • Clergy - the clergy are religious leaders, especially priests, ministers, etc.

  • Archbishop - the chief bishop of a large region is known as the archbishop

  • Bishop - a senior member of the Christian Church in charge of an area containing several churches is known as a bishop

  • Exile - when you are sent away from your home country, you go into exile

  • Spiritual - spiritual is relating to deep feelings and religious beliefs

A virtual tour of a cathedral provides a grand visual of the period. These impressive structures give pupils an insight into the power of the medieval Church.
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).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
True or false? The Assizes enabled royal justice to be everywhere, even without the presence of the king.
Correct answer: true
false
Q2.
Identify two examples of how barons took advantage during the chaos of the Anarchy.
Correct answer: they built castles without permission
they gave the king’s coins to the poor
Correct answer: they stole the land of others
Q3.
Match the key words with the correct definitions.
Correct Answer:legal,connected to the law

connected to the law

Correct Answer:authority,the power or ability to control or demand obedience

the power or ability to control or demand obedience

Correct Answer:reform,when you make changes to improve something

when you make changes to improve something

Q4.
Write the missing word. Legal matters were decided in local courts often overseen by a local __________.
Correct Answer: baron, Baron, lord, barons, Barons
Q5.
Select the incorrect impact of the Assizes.
they settled property disputes in local areas
they delivered a consistent law across England
Correct answer: they gave power to local barons
Q6.
Which of the following best describes Henry II’s legal reforms?
Eliminating the legal system altogether
Expanding the authority of local lords
Correct answer: Strengthening the legal system and royal authority
Weakening the power of the monarchy

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the below is not an example of Church power in medieval England?
The Church owned up to a third of all land in England
The Church built impressive structures such as churches and cathedrals
High-ranking clergy were as rich and powerful as the barons
Correct answer: The crown was very wealthy
Q2.
What was the main cause of conflict between the Church and the crown in medieval England?
the construction of cathedrals
the distribution of royal orders
disagreements about God
Correct answer: the amount of royal control over the Church
Q3.
Write the missing word. If they broke the law, the clergy were only required to attend the __________'s own courts.
Correct Answer: Church, church, clergy, Clergy
Q4.
Write in the missing name. Henry II appointed __________ as Archbishop of Canterbury.
Correct Answer: Thomas Becket, thomas becket, becket, Becket, Thomas
Q5.
What was one important change made by the Constitutions of Clarendon?
Correct answer: Clergy found guilty of crimes would now be punished in the king's courts
The Church was granted the power to create its own legal system
The king was required to seek the Church's permission for important decisions
Q6.
Match the key words with the correct definitions.
Correct Answer:clergy,religious officials, especially priests, ministers, etc

religious officials, especially priests, ministers, etc

Correct Answer:bishop,a senior member of the Christian Church

a senior member of the Christian Church

Correct Answer:spiritual,relating to deep feelings and religious beliefs

relating to deep feelings and religious beliefs

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