Paper 2 Section B/B: Medieval England: the reign of Edward I, 1272–1307

June 2023

Q1: How convincing is Interpretation A about William Wallace?

Explain your answer based on your contextual knowledge and what it says in Interpretation A.

Answer:

For example, it is convincing because the battle of Falkirk was a near victory for the Scots, led by Wallace who planned the campaign of resistance to the English. They had tried to starve Edward’s army by destroying all the supplies as they retreated. They had managed to cause disputes in Edward’s soldiers ranks. For example, a group of Welsh soldiers got into a drunken riot and 80 Welshmen were killed. In the Falkirk battle, giant shiltrons of the Scottish army did repel the English cavalry it was only the longbow men – using a new English weapon – who turned the tide of battle. So, it was a close-run thing against Edward who was a great warrior king because he had already subdued the Welsh and defeated his enemy, Llewelyn ap Gruffydd, and absorbed Wales into his English empire. more than one aspect of the interpretation. For example, it is convincing because Wallace did show great tactical skill managing the Scots army at the battle of Stirling Bridge on 11 September, 1297. The English had tried to cross the River Forth and with their cavalry trapped in a bend in the river, Wallace chose the right moment to surge forward and attack them. The English losses were great - 100 knights and 5000 men. Their horses were useless in a confined space and to protect the remaining army, the Earl of Surrey had to destroy the bridge. After this victory Wallace was declared sole Guardian of Scotland because Andrew Moray died of the wounds he received in the battle. For example, when Wallace was handed over, he was taken to London. Wallace said the court could not try him but he was found guilty and hanged. As a traitor his head was displayed on London Bridge. He and Andrew Moray fought for Scottish independence against Edward’s attempts to take over Answers may show understanding/support for interpretation, but the case is For example, at Stirling Bridge, Wallace chose the right moment to attack the English when they crossed the river.

Q2: Explain what was important about Edward I’s Welsh Wars.

Answer:

the consequences of the stated development (Edward’s Welsh Wars) in the For example, Edward’s Welsh Wars were important because they resulted in absorption of Wales into Edward’s English empire. The statute of Rhuddlan in 1284 imposed English law on Welsh and Edward’s castles around the former Welsh Prince, Llywelyn’s centre of power, Gwynedd, meant that Welsh For example, what was important about Edward’s Welsh Wars was that they cost Edward I a large amount of money. He had to find ways of financing them by increasing taxes and finding new ones so, he put a tax on wool exports as well as obtaining large loans of ready cash from his Italian bankers. For example, it was important because the Welsh Wars led to a massive programme of Castle building in North Wales. These concentric Castles were virtually impregnable at the time and were self-contained as they could be supplied by sea from England. These castles meant that the Welsh would be under English control. the identified consequences, supporting by factual knowledge and For example, Edward defeated Llewellyn ap Gruffydd in a great military campaign. The first was in 1277, and a second in 1282. Llewellyn was killed and Edward passed the Statute of Rhuddlan in 1284 which gave Wales the same laws as in England. For example, Edward conquered Wales and built castles like Caernarfon on

Q3: Write an account of the ways in which the government of England developed during

the reign of Edward I.

Answer:

reasoning supported by a range of accurate and detailed factual knowledge and understanding. For example, an explanation of different impacts/ consequences of change in the broader historical context. For example, so many of Edward’s changes in government were to establish the power of the crown and to diminish the power of the nobility and in some cases the church. In this Edward was seeking power and money and to make sure that he was never placed in the position that his father was, in relation to the nobility. Local feudal lords administered justice and the king wanted to limit this power unless the person using it possessed it from ‘time immemorial’ i.e., 1189. Land ownership was the basis of power. The king also tried to allow people to inherit their estates in the Second Statute of Westminster, 1285. Again, this affected the nobility who stood to gain if land reverted to them. Similarly, the Third Statute of Westminster in 1290 tried to stop sub- For example, one way in which government developed under Edward was in the way the role of Parliament expanded. Edward invited town burgesses and knights from the shires. This diluted the power of the barons. Edward used Parliament as a place to put forward new ideas and gain consent. He said ‘what touches all should be approved by all’. So, this led to the Model Parliament of 1295. simple understanding of consequence(s) with supported with factual For example, Edward changed local government by the Hundred Rolls investigation. He wanted to find out what the king owned but it soon turned into an investigation of local incompetence, corruption and crime. This resulted in the First Statute of Westminster in 1275 which gathered together many previous laws and tried to bring about some uniformity. For example, Edward’s Chancellor, Robert Burnell, helped make many new should demonstrate their ability to construct and develop a sustained line of reasoning which is coherent, relevant, substantiated and logically structured.

Q4: ‘The growth of the merchant class was the main reason for the development of towns

during Edward I’s reign.’ How far does a study of the Merchant’s House in Southampton support this statement? Explain your answer. You should refer to the Merchant’s House in Southampton and your contextual knowledge. and AQA will be happy to rectify any omissions of acknowledgements. If you have any queries please contact the CopyrightTeam.

Answer:

To support their answer students could include aspects of the site such as: location, function, structure, design, people connected with the site, how the site reflects culture, values and fashions of the time and how the site links to important events and/or developments of the specified period. understanding of the site. For example, Edward and the merchant class of towns like Southampton had a mutually beneficial relationship. Edward gained important income from taxation on wine and wool. The merchants gained trading privileges which made them wealthy and powerful. The increasing importance of this merchant class was recognised when Edward brought them into Parliament in 1295. The merchant class were a dynamic group, and their composition changed with their trading decisions and luck. Their great ambition was to leave their trading behind them and use the profits of it to buy land in the surrounding countryside and become local-landed rather than urban nobility. Answers may suggest that one factor has greater merit. and understanding of the site. For example, several powerful families in Southampton benefited from trade in wine and wool that flowed through the town. They grew in number and became powerful during Edward I’s reign. They were linked by marriage and shared interests in trade. The Merchant house was built by John Fortin in French Street on the profits from the wine trade which is why there are extensive cellars to the house. Fortin married into the Barbfletes, another powerful wealthy Southampton merchant. These men considered it their civic and charitable duty to invest in Southampton to show their wealth and position. So, Nicholas Barbflete paid for the town’s piped water supply. Robert le Mercer helped the Franciscan Friars build their new church in the town. For example, the King’s need for money was immense. Edward’s tax collector, Adam de Wynton was very efficient at collecting the wool tax in Southampton which in 1288 was £696, worth well over £500000 in today’s money. When there was a special need for the King to have money, such as rebuilding of the Royal Castle there in 1286, local merchants paid for the work. In 1294 Southampton merchants, like John Fortin who built the Merchant’s House, built and equipped a galley to join the King’s fleet for the war against France. In return the King gave a valuable trading charter to Southampton. If the merchant class did not respect the King’s wishes then he would punish them as he did in 1274, when the town lost its right to self-government and had to pay a large fine to get it back. The merchant class had to keep on the right side of the King. causes by simple reasoning supported with factual knowledge and understanding of the site. For example, Edward needed the money he received from towns for the trade that flowed in and out of them. Southampton imported wine and exported wool and many other goods over a large part of southern England. The king had a Royal Castle and wine cellar in the town, and foreign merchants lived there or had strong connections with Southampton. From 1275 the king benefited from a new tax on wool. For example, Edward needed money to fight wars in Wales, Scotland, and France. He received regular payments from towns like Southampton for their special rights. Edward gained money from taxes on goods like wine and wool that were imported and exported.