How successful was Henry II as king?
I can explain how successful Henry II was as king.
How successful was Henry II as king?
I can explain how successful Henry II was as king.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- A successful medieval king needed to have certain qualities to enable them to effectively rule.
- Henry’s reign demonstrated success.
- Henry’s reign demonstrated failure.
- Historians often disagree whether a king can be seen as a successful ruler.
- Henry reasserted his royal authority in various ways.
Keywords
Reasserted - reasserted means doing something to show that you still have power
Royal authority - royal authority is the power or ability of a monarch to control or demand obedience from the people.
Interpretation - interpretation an explanation or opinion of what something means.
Common misconception
Students may think that the role of the medieval monarch is comparable with today's monarchy.
A medieval king was judged by his ability on the battlefield. Success in battle was the best way for a king to become powerful.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
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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Starter quiz
6 Questions
the order in which people inherit a position
to rebel or take violent action against a ruler
a person who rules a country, because the monarch is absent
Exit quiz
6 Questions
doing something to show that you still have power
the ability of a monarch to control the people
an explanation or opinion of what something means