AQA · A-Level · History
Course version: 7042 · Version from Sept 2017
The course of the Great Rebellion: political instability; the barons;…
Full specification wording
2A Royal Authority and the Angevin Kings, 1154–1216 – The crisis of Royal Authority, 1166–1174: The course of the Great Rebellion: political instability; the barons; William I of Scotland; the re-establishment of Henry II’s rule
The course of the Great Rebellion (1173–1174) was marked by severe political instability across the Angevin Empire, as Henry II faced a coordinated, multi-front war.
Checked against the AQA 7042 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 4 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The course of the Great Rebellion (1173–1174) was marked by severe political instability across the Angevin Empire, as Henry II faced a coordinated, multi-front war. Rebellious barons, such as the Earls of Leicester and Norfolk, launched uprisings in England, seeking to reverse Henry’s centralising policies. Simultaneously, William I of Scotland invaded northern England to reclaim Northumbria, compounding the crisis. Henry II re-established his rule through rapid military deployment, employing loyal Brabançon mercenaries, and securing a decisive victory at the Battle of Alnwick, where William I was captured. Henry’s subsequent public penance at Thomas Becket’s tomb helped restore his moral authority, leading to the Treaty of Falaise and the pacification of his sons.
What earns the marks
- Detail the geographical spread of the rebellion, highlighting how political instability was exacerbated by simultaneous attacks in Normandy, Brittany, and England.
- Analyse the actions of key rebellious barons, such as Hugh Bigod and Robert de Beaumont, and their reliance on Flemish mercenaries.
- Evaluate the impact of William I of Scotland's invasion of the north and how his capture at Alnwick in 1174 proved to be the turning point of the conflict.
- Explain the methods Henry II used to re-establish his rule, including his use of loyal officials, mercenaries, and the symbolic penance at Canterbury.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Assuming the rebellion was a single, unified military campaign.
Put it right: Describe the rebellion as a series of uncoordinated, multi-front uprisings across different regions of the Angevin Empire.
Overlooking the role of loyalists in England.
Put it right: Emphasise that Henry II's justiciars, such as Richard de Lucy, and loyal barons played a crucial role in containing the English rebels while Henry was in Normandy.
Confusing the Treaty of Falaise with later agreements.
Put it right: Specify that the Treaty of Falaise (1174) specifically subjugated Scotland to the English Crown following William I's capture.
Exam tips
- Contrast the military effectiveness of Henry II's paid Brabançon mercenaries with the feudal levies used by the rebellious barons.
- Highlight the capture of William the Lion at Alnwick as the definitive moment that collapsed the rebel coalition in England.
- Discuss how Henry II's leniency towards his sons after the rebellion contrasted with his harsh treatment of the rebel barons and the King of Scots.
Try the lesson
The start of the 2A Royal Authority and the Angevin Kings, 1154–1216 – The crisis of Royal Authority, 1166–1174: The course of the Great Rebellion: political instability; the barons; William I of Scotland; the re-establishment of Henry II’s rule lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What significant action did William I of Scotland take during the course of the Great Rebellion?
Listen
The course of the Great Rebellion (1173–1174) was marked by severe political instability across the Angevin Empire, as Henry II faced a coordinated, multi-front war. Rebellious barons, such as the Earls of Leicester and Norfolk, launched uprisings in England, seeking to reverse Henry’s centralising policies. Simultaneously, William I of Scotland invaded northern England to reclaim Northumbria, compounding the crisis. Henry II re-established his rule through rapid military deployment, employing loyal Brabançon mercenaries, and securing a decisive victory at the Battle of Alnwick, where William I was captured. Henry’s subsequent public penance at Thomas Becket’s tomb helped restore his moral authority, leading to the Treaty of Falaise and the pacification of his sons. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Detail the geographical spread of the rebellion, highlighting how political instability was exacerbated by simultaneous attacks in Normandy, Brittany, and England. Analyse the actions of key rebellious barons, such as Hugh Bigod and Robert de Beaumont, and their reliance on Flemish mercenaries. Evaluate the impact of William I of Scotland's invasion of the north and how his capture at Alnwick in 1174 proved to be the turning point of the conflict. Explain the methods Henry II used to re-establish his rule, including his use of loyal officials, mercenaries, and the symbolic penance at Canterbury. A common slip: Assuming the rebellion was a single, unified military campaign. Instead, Describe the rebellion as a series of uncoordinated, multi-front uprisings across different regions of the Angevin Empire. Exam tip: Contrast the military effectiveness of Henry II's paid Brabançon mercenaries with the feudal levies used by the rebellious barons.
Key words
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Military strategy and logistics
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The limits of baronial rebellion
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Anglo-Scottish relations
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The restoration of royal authority
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See every definition
- Military strategy and logistics
- Henry II re-established his rule through rapid military deployment, employing loyal Brabançon mercenaries and securing a decisive victory at the Battle of Alnwick.
- The limits of baronial rebellion
- Rebellious barons such as the Earls of Leicester and Norfolk launched uprisings in England, seeking to reverse Henry's centralising policies, but the rebellion was a series of uncoordinated, multi-front uprisings.
- Anglo-Scottish relations
- William I of Scotland invaded northern England to reclaim Northumbria, compounding the crisis, and his capture at Alnwick in 1174 proved the turning point, leading to the Treaty of Falaise.
- The restoration of royal authority
- Henry II re-established his rule through rapid military deployment and mercenaries, and his public penance at Thomas Becket's tomb helped restore his moral authority.
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