Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
England and the Angevin Empire in the reign of Henry II, 1154–89 - 1 The…
Full specification wording
Paper 2, Option 2A.2: England and the Angevin Empire in the reign of Henry II, 1154–89 - 1 The restoration and extension of royal authority, 1154–72: Henry II and the nobility: the destruction of illegal castles; the weakening of baronial power; the Cartae Baronum 1166; the Inquest of the Sheriffs 1170.
Henry II set out to reduce baronial power and restore royal authority.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Henry II set out to reduce baronial power and restore royal authority. He ordered the destruction of illegal castles—those built without royal licence or held against the crown—to remove bases of rebellion. This weakened baronial power by limiting private fortifications and reminding lords of royal oversight. In 1166 the Cartae Baronum required tenants-in-chief to declare their knights' fees and subtenants, exposing the true extent of feudal resources and enabling the crown to tax and summon more accurately. In 1170 the Inquest of the Sheriffs investigated the conduct and revenues of sheriffs, checking corruption and ensuring that royal income and justice were properly administered. Together these measures increased royal control and financial reach.
What earns the marks
- Explains how the destruction of illegal castles reduced baronial military capacity and asserted royal authority over fortification.
- Analyses how the weakening of baronial power was achieved through a combination of castle policy, legal and financial inquiries, and royal oversight.
- Describes the purpose and mechanics of the Cartae Baronum 1166: a survey of knights' fees and subtenants that revealed feudal resources for taxation and service.
- Explains the Inquest of the Sheriffs 1170 as an inquiry into sheriffs' conduct and revenues, aimed at improving royal finance and justice.
- Links the measures together, showing how they formed a coherent programme to restore and extend royal authority by 1172.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing the Cartae Baronum with Domesday Book.
Put it right: Explain that the Cartae Baronum was a specific 1166 inquiry into knights' fees and subtenants, not a general land survey.
Assuming the Inquest of the Sheriffs was only about punishing corruption.
Put it right: Explain its wider aim of checking royal revenues and the administration of justice.
Treating castle destruction as a single event.
Put it right: Describe it as an ongoing policy of demolishing or licensing castles to reduce baronial power.
Exam tips
- Use precise dates and names for the Cartae Baronum and the Inquest of the Sheriffs to show secure knowledge.
- Explain the mechanism of each measure—how it worked—rather than just naming it.
- Connect each measure to the broader aim of restoring royal authority, and use them as evidence in essays on Henry II's governance.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 2, Option 2A.2: England and the Angevin Empire in the reign of Henry II, 1154–89 - 1 The restoration and extension of royal authority, 1154–72: Henry II and the nobility: the destruction of illegal castles; the weakening of baronial power; the Cartae Baronum 1166; the Inquest of the Sheriffs 1170. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What was the main purpose of the Cartae Baronum of 1166?
Listen
Henry II set out to reduce baronial power and restore royal authority. He ordered the destruction of illegal castles—those built without royal licence or held against the crown—to remove bases of rebellion. This weakened baronial power by limiting private fortifications and reminding lords of royal oversight. In 1166 the Cartae Baronum required tenants-in-chief to declare their knights' fees and subtenants, exposing the true extent of feudal resources and enabling the crown to tax and summon more accurately. In 1170 the Inquest of the Sheriffs investigated the conduct and revenues of sheriffs, checking corruption and ensuring that royal income and justice were properly administered. Together these measures increased royal control and financial reach. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains how the destruction of illegal castles reduced baronial military capacity and asserted royal authority over fortification. Analyses how the weakening of baronial power was achieved through a combination of castle policy, legal and financial inquiries, and royal oversight. Describes the purpose and mechanics of the Cartae Baronum 1166: a survey of knights' fees and subtenants that revealed feudal resources for taxation and service. Explains the Inquest of the Sheriffs 1170 as an inquiry into sheriffs' conduct and revenues, aimed at improving royal finance and justice. A common slip: Confusing the Cartae Baronum with Domesday Book. Instead, explain that the Cartae Baronum was a specific 1166 inquiry into knights' fees and subtenants, not a general land survey. Exam tip: Use precise dates and names for the Cartae Baronum and the Inquest of the Sheriffs to show secure knowledge.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Royal authority and baronial power
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Feudalism and military service
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Financial administration
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Law and local government
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Royal authority and baronial power
- Henry II set out to reduce baronial power and restore royal authority, and his measures increased royal control and financial reach.
- Feudalism and military service
- The Cartae Baronum required tenants-in-chief to declare their knights' fees and subtenants, exposing the true extent of feudal resources for taxation and service.
- Financial administration
- The Inquest of the Sheriffs investigated the conduct and revenues of sheriffs, ensuring that royal income was properly administered.
- Law and local government
- The Inquest of the Sheriffs checked corruption and ensured that royal justice was properly administered.
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