England 1377–1455 — OCR A-Level History

This period covers the reigns of Richard II (1377–1399), Henry IV (1399–1413), Henry V (1413–1422), and Henry VI (1422–1455), focusing on the political, social, and economic challenges that shaped late medieval England. Key themes include the Hundred Years' War, the Peasants' Revolt of 1381, the rise of the House of Lancaster, and the early stages of the Wars of the Roses. Understanding this era is crucial because it reveals the fragility of royal authority, the power of the nobility, and the origins of the dynastic conflict that would dominate the next century.

The period begins with the minority of Richard II, whose authoritarian tendencies led to his deposition by Henry Bolingbroke. Henry IV faced rebellions and financial instability, while Henry V's military successes in France temporarily united the country. However, Henry VI's weak rule and mental health issues allowed factionalism to flourish, culminating in the First Battle of St Albans in 1455. This topic is central to OCR A-Level History as it examines the interplay between monarchy, nobility, and parliament, and the causes of political instability.

Students should focus on the changing nature of kingship, the role of patronage and faction, and the impact of war on domestic politics. The period also highlights the importance of legitimacy and succession, as well as the economic and social pressures that could undermine royal authority. By studying these years, students gain insight into the transition from medieval to early modern governance.

• →Lancastrian Claim to the Throne: Henry IV's usurpation of Richard II established a precedent that the crown could be seized by force, undermining the principle of hereditary succession and creating a legitimacy problem for his dynasty.
• →The Hundred Years' War: The conflict with France drained English resources and created opportunities for military glory (e.g., Agincourt 1415) but also led to territorial losses and financial strain under Henry VI.
• →Bastard Feudalism: The system of retaining and livery, where nobles maintained private armies of retainers, led to overmighty subjects and local disorder, contributing to the Wars of the Roses.
• →The Role of Parliament: Parliament gained influence through granting taxation, but also became a tool for factional politics, as seen in the impeachment of Suffolk in 1450.
• →The Crisis of 1450: Jack Cade's Rebellion and the loss of Normandy exposed the failures of Henry VI's government, leading to demands for reform and the rise of Richard, Duke of York.

• Analysis and evaluation of four primary sources in their historical context for the enquiry topic.
• Demonstration of knowledge and understanding of key historical terms and concepts.
• Ability to recall, select, and deploy knowledge to analyse and evaluate different interpretations and representations of the past.
• Construction of substantiated judgements through essay writing.
• Understanding of causation, consequence, change, continuity, significance, similarity, and difference.

• 💡Ensure knowledge of the historical context is used specifically to analyse and evaluate the sources in the enquiry section.
• 💡Use the Specification Creator tool to ensure the chosen unit combination meets the 200-year rule.
• 💡Focus on developing substantiated judgements in essays to access higher mark ranges.
• 💡Ensure the enquiry topic and period study are seen as a coherent whole rather than isolated boreholes.
• 💡Use specific examples of patronage and faction to illustrate the breakdown of royal authority, e.g., the rivalry between the Beauforts and the Duke of Gloucester in the 1440s.
• 💡Link domestic events to the Hundred Years' War: show how military failure in France (e.g., the loss of Gascony) directly fuelled political instability at home.
• 💡Avoid narrative summaries; instead, analyse the causes and consequences of key events, such as the deposition of Richard II or the rise of the Yorkists.

• Misconception: The Wars of the Roses were a continuous conflict from 1455 to 1485. Correction: The wars were intermittent, with periods of peace (e.g., 1461–1469) and shifting alliances. The First Battle of St Albans (1455) was just the first armed clash.
• Misconception: Henry V was a universally popular king. Correction: While his French victories were celebrated, his reign saw heavy taxation and the Lollard uprising (1414), indicating underlying tensions.
• Misconception: Richard II was a tyrant who deserved to be deposed. Correction: Richard's actions were partly a response to the Appellants' dominance in the 1380s, and his deposition was a controversial act that set a dangerous precedent.