AQA · A-Level · History
Course version: 7042 · Version from Sept 2017
Social and economic developments: towns and trade, the social condition of…
Full specification wording
2A Royal Authority and the Angevin Kings, 1154–1216 – The struggle for Royal Authority, 1174–1189: Social and economic developments: towns and trade, the social condition of England by 1189
By 1189, England experienced significant economic and social growth, driven by a burgeoning population and agricultural expansion.
Checked against the AQA 7042 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
By 1189, England experienced significant economic and social growth, driven by a burgeoning population and agricultural expansion. The period saw the rapid development of towns (urbanisation), stimulated by royal charters granting borough status, which allowed self-government and trading privileges. Trade flourished both domestically, through a network of local markets and annual fairs like St Ives, and internationally, exporting wool to Flanders and importing wine from Gascony. The social condition of England reflected this prosperity but remained strictly hierarchical. While the peasantry remained largely tied to the land under the manorial system, the rise of a wealthy merchant class in towns began to challenge traditional feudal structures, creating a more complex, monetised society by the end of Henry II's reign.
What earns the marks
- Identify the role of royal charters in the growth of towns and the establishment of independent boroughs.
- Explain the significance of the wool trade with Flanders in driving England's economic prosperity.
- Assess the impact of a monetised economy on the traditional feudal obligations of the peasantry.
- Evaluate the social condition of England by 1189, noting the emergence of a distinct merchant class alongside the traditional rural hierarchy.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Assuming the feudal system collapsed by 1189.
Put it right by explaining that while a monetised economy grew, traditional manorial structures remained dominant for the peasantry.
Overstating the size of towns.
Put it right by noting that even major towns like London were relatively small by modern standards, though economically vital.
Ignoring international trade; correct by highlighting the crucial export of English wool and import of French wine as key economic drivers.
Exam tips
- Use specific examples of trade hubs, such as London or the St Ives fair, to support arguments about economic growth.
- Link economic developments to royal authority, noting how Henry II benefited from taxing trade and granting borough charters.
- Contrast the social condition of urban merchants with rural peasants to demonstrate a nuanced understanding of society in 1189.
Try the lesson
The start of the 2A Royal Authority and the Angevin Kings, 1154–1216 – The struggle for Royal Authority, 1174–1189: Social and economic developments: towns and trade, the social condition of England by 1189 lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which commodity was the most significant export for the English economy by the end of Henry II's reign in 1189?
Listen
By 1189, England experienced significant economic and social growth, driven by a burgeoning population and agricultural expansion. The period saw the rapid development of towns (urbanisation), stimulated by royal charters granting borough status, which allowed self-government and trading privileges. Trade flourished both domestically, through a network of local markets and annual fairs like St Ives, and internationally, exporting wool to Flanders and importing wine from Gascony. The social condition of England reflected this prosperity but remained strictly hierarchical. While the peasantry remained largely tied to the land under the manorial system, the rise of a wealthy merchant class in towns began to challenge traditional feudal structures, creating a more complex, monetised society by the end of Henry II's reign. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Identify the role of royal charters in the growth of towns and the establishment of independent boroughs. Explain the significance of the wool trade with Flanders in driving England's economic prosperity. Assess the impact of a monetised economy on the traditional feudal obligations of the peasantry. Evaluate the social condition of England by 1189, noting the emergence of a distinct merchant class alongside the traditional rural hierarchy. A common slip: Assuming the feudal system collapsed by 1189. Instead, explaining that while a monetised economy grew, traditional manorial structures remained dominant for the peasantry. Exam tip: Use specific examples of trade hubs, such as London or the St Ives fair, to support arguments about economic growth.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Urbanisation
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Royal charters
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Manorial system
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Monetised society
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See every definition
- Urbanisation
- The rapid development of towns, stimulated by royal charters granting borough status, which allowed self-government and trading privileges.
- Royal charters
- Grants of borough status that allowed towns self-government and trading privileges, stimulating their growth.
- Manorial system
- The system under which the peasantry remained largely tied to the land, alongside the traditional rural hierarchy.
- Monetised society
- A more complex society created by the rise of a wealthy merchant class in towns, which began to challenge traditional feudal structures.
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