Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History

    Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016

    Key topic 2: Involvements overseas, 1189–1204 - 4 Richard, John and the…

    Full specification wording

    Option B2: Key topic 2: Involvements overseas, 1189–1204 - 4 Richard, John and the loss of Normandy: The competing aims of Richard and John and Philip II in Normandy.

    Normandy was a crucial battleground due to the competing aims of Richard I, King John, and Philip II of France.

    Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 1 of 3
    • 4 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    Normandy was a crucial battleground due to the competing aims of Richard I, King John, and Philip II of France. Philip II aimed to dismantle the Angevin Empire and expand the French royal domain by conquering Normandy, exploiting any division among the Angevins. Richard I's primary aim upon his release was to defend and recover the Norman territories Philip had seized during his captivity, heavily investing in defences like Château Gaillard. John's aims shifted; initially, he allied with Philip to undermine Richard and secure his own power, but upon becoming king, John aimed to retain Normandy against Philip's relentless assaults. These conflicting ambitions led to continuous warfare, shifting alliances, and ultimately the loss of the duchy.

    What earns the marks

    • Explain Philip II's overarching goal to break up the Angevin Empire and absorb Normandy into the French royal lands.
    • Describe Richard I's military and financial efforts to reclaim and fortify Norman territory lost during his imprisonment.
    • Analyse John's changing aims, from conspiring with Philip II against Richard to attempting to defend Normandy as king.
    • Evaluate how the strategic importance and wealth of Normandy made it the focal point of conflict between the English and French crowns.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Assuming John and Richard always worked together to defend Normandy.

      Put it right: John actively allied with Philip II against Richard while Richard was imprisoned.

    • Believing Philip II only wanted to capture Château Gaillard.

      Put it right: Philip's aim was the complete conquest of Normandy and the destruction of Angevin power in France.

    • Confusing the timeline of John's alliances.

      Put it right: Ensure clarity that John allied with Philip before 1194, but fought against him after becoming king in 1199.

    Exam tips

    • Clearly distinguish between the aims of the three rulers to structure answers about the conflict in Normandy effectively.
    • Use Château Gaillard as a concrete example of Richard's aim to defend Normandy and Philip's aim to conquer it.
    • Highlight how Philip II opportunistically used John's ambition to weaken Richard's hold on the duchy.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the Option B2: Key topic 2: Involvements overseas, 1189–1204 - 4 Richard, John and the loss of Normandy: The competing aims of Richard and John and Philip II in Normandy. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    What was King Philip II of France's primary aim regarding Normandy while Richard I was imprisoned?

    Listen

    Normandy was a crucial battleground due to the competing aims of Richard I, King John, and Philip II of France. Philip II aimed to dismantle the Angevin Empire and expand the French royal domain by conquering Normandy, exploiting any division among the Angevins. Richard I's primary aim upon his release was to defend and recover the Norman territories Philip had seized during his captivity, heavily investing in defences like Château Gaillard. John's aims shifted; initially, he allied with Philip to undermine Richard and secure his own power, but upon becoming king, John aimed to retain Normandy against Philip's relentless assaults. These conflicting ambitions led to continuous warfare, shifting alliances, and ultimately the loss of the duchy. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explain Philip II's overarching goal to break up the Angevin Empire and absorb Normandy into the French royal lands. Describe Richard I's military and financial efforts to reclaim and fortify Norman territory lost during his imprisonment. Analyse John's changing aims, from conspiring with Philip II against Richard to attempting to defend Normandy as king. Evaluate how the strategic importance and wealth of Normandy made it the focal point of conflict between the English and French crowns. A common slip: Assuming John and Richard always worked together to defend Normandy. Instead, John actively allied with Philip II against Richard while Richard was imprisoned. Exam tip: Clearly distinguish between the aims of the three rulers to structure answers about the conflict in Normandy effectively.

    See it

    A top-down flowchart. Philip II's aim to break up the Angevin Empire and absorb Normandy leads to Philip exploiting division among the Angevins. Separately, Richard I's aim to defend and recover Norman territory seized during his captivity leads to Richard investing in defences such as Château Gaillard. John's initial alliance with Philip to undermine Richard also feeds into Philip exploiting Angevin division, while John, once king, aims to retain Normandy against Philip. Philip's exploitation of division, Richard's investment in defences and John's aim to retain Normandy all lead to continuous warfare and shifting alliances, which in turn leads to the loss of the duchy.
    Shows how the competing aims of Philip II, Richard I and John led to continuous warfare and the loss of Normandy.

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    Angevin Empire

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Château Gaillard

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    French royal domain

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Shifting alliances

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    See every definition
    Angevin Empire
    The empire that Philip II aimed to dismantle and whose power in France he sought to destroy.
    Château Gaillard
    A fortification in which Richard I heavily invested as part of his aim to defend Normandy.
    French royal domain
    The lands Philip II aimed to expand by conquering Normandy.
    Shifting alliances
    A feature of the continuous warfare, as John initially allied with Philip to undermine Richard but fought against him after becoming king.

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A top-down flowchart. Philip II's aim to break up the Angevin Empire and absorb Normandy leads to Philip exploiting division among the Angevins. Separately, Richard I's aim to defend and recover Norman territory seized during his captivity leads to Richard investing in defences such as Château Gaillard. John's initial alliance with Philip to undermine Richard also feeds into Philip exploiting Angevin division, while John, once king, aims to retain Normandy against Philip. Philip's exploitation of division, Richard's investment in defences and John's aim to retain Normandy all lead to continuous warfare and shifting alliances, which in turn leads to the loss of the duchy.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

    0 of 3 labelled

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