New
New
Year 7
Richard II and the war in France
I can explain how a background of conflict influenced Richard II's policies.
New
New
Year 7
Richard II and the war in France
I can explain how a background of conflict influenced Richard II's policies.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Richer people tended to be able to escape the worst effects of the plague.
- In 1377, the ten-year-old Richard became king. He was largely controlled by his uncle, John of Gaunt.
- Richard inherited a continuing war with France, the Hundred Years' War.
- A poll tax was introduced because kings needed money to continue the war against France.
- The poll tax became even more unpopular when Richard II tripled the tax from 4 pence to 12 pence.
Keywords
Heir - a person who expects to inherit a position
Poll tax - a payment made to the government by every adult, regardless of how wealthy they are
Common misconception
People at the time called the conflict the Hundred Years' War.
People at the time would not have known how long the wars were going to last, so this name came after the conflict had ended.
Divide the class into a large group of poor peasants, a medium group of better-off yeomen farmers and a smaller group of wealthy lords. As king, announce the new rate for the poll tax and then take opinions from each group about its fairness.
Teacher tip
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
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
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6 Questions
Q1.
What was a vassal in the feudal system?
A ceremony of homage
A kind of tax on land
A promise of allegiance
Q2.
Historians agree that the feudal system ended during the period of the th to the 15th centuries.
Q3.
Which of the following sources have historians used most to explore the strength or weakness of the feudal system after 1348?
diaries written by peasant labourers
statements made by police officers during the Peasant Revolt
dental records of victims of the Black Death
Q4.
Which of the following could be used to support the argument that lords were not able to restore the feudal system after 1348?
An increase in fines for leaving the lord's lands
Q5.
The reason why historians compare court records before and after 1348 is because this was the starting date of the in England.
Q6.
Which historian is associated with research in East Anglia that suggests that feudalism was strengthened after 1348?
Mark Bailey
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Who succeeded Edward III to the throne after his death in 1377?
His son, Edward the Black Prince
His daughter, Joan
His wife, Isabella
Q2.
Which wealthy and unpopular son of Edward III largely controlled the young King Richard II after 1377?
Edward the Black Prince
Lionel, Duke of Clarence
Thomas, Duke of Gloucester
Q3.
What war began in 1337 and did not end until 1453?
The Second Crusade
The Wars of the Roses
The Wars of the Three Kingdoms
Q4.
In 1377, Richard II raised a tax to pay for the war with France. This was a form of taxation in which every person had to pay the same amount.
Q5.
How much was the tax raised to in 1381?
From 30 shillings per person in 1377 to 200 shillings per wage owner in 1381
From £12 per person in 1377 to £10 per household in 1381
Q6.
Put these events into chronological order.
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