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

June 2020

Q1: How convincing is Interpretation A about how Edward I controlled Wales?

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

Answer:

For example, it is convincing because Edward set out symbolically to announce to the Welsh that he was absorbing Wales and making it like England. He issued the new law – the statute of Rhuddlan in 1284 from one of his newly built castles. At Rhuddlan he even diverted a river so that the castle could be supplied by sea from England. The statute introduced English common law to Wales but the justice was overseen from Caernarfon, not London. He executed the last Welsh Prince Llywelyn’s brother, Daffydd ap Gruffudd, so the local Welsh leadership was seen to have been destroyed and could not rise again as it had in 1282. more than one aspect of the interpretation. For example, it is convincing because Edward wanted to make Wales just like England and therefore subject to English laws. So he passed the Statute of Rhuddlan. He divided the country between himself and loyal Lords. They would be like English counties, each ruled by a royal official sheriff who would collect taxes and hold courts like any other English county. Edward kept some old Welsh practices e.g. settling disputes by arbitration. For example, Edward’s castles were concentric designs that could be supplied from England by sea. So they could withstand a siege. They surrounded North Wales from where Llewellyn ap Gruffydd had rebelled. Answers may show understanding/support for interpretation, but the case is For example, Edward built castles at Caernarfon, Conway, Harlech and

Q2: Explain what was important about the work of Robert Burnell.

Answer:

the consequences of the stated development (the work of Robert Burnell) in For example, Robert Burnell was respected enough by the King as his Chancellor to hold a meeting of Parliament at his house – Acton Burnell Castle in Shropshire in 1283. This was thought to be the first time that commoners or non-nobles ie wealthy merchants had attended a session of Parliament. What was important about Burnell’s work was that it directly reflects Edward’s wishes whether as a diplomat sorting out problems with the French King for his lands in Gascony, or tackling the authority of the senior nobles. Perhaps with the death of his wife Eleanor in 1290 for her religious influence, and then, Burnell in 1292, for his political ability, the King’s government changed its character and possibly became less effective. For example, it was important for the government of England because Edward trusted him to regain the power and wealth that his father Henry III had lost. Burnell was behind the issuing of statutes between 1274 and 1290 such as the first statute of Westminster which showed that all power and land came from the King. The Quo Warranto Inquiries and the Hundred Rolls investigations showed Edward who owned what and why. Robert Burnell organised this. Burnell was a powerful figure in Edward’s government working in the Chancery in London. He became rich under Edward buying up the debts of poor knights. Edward rewarded him for his work with the right to hold a weekly market in his home town of Acton Burnell and annual fairs. He made him Bishop of Bath and Wells in 1275. Even tried to have been elected as Archbishop of Canterbury but he would have been a poor choice because he had a mistress and several For example, Robert Burnell was the Chancellor and Edward I gave him the job of carrying out the Quo Warranto Inquiries. He even trusted him to run the country while the King was away on Crusade. For example, Robert Burnell was Edward I’s Chancellor, he was one of the most important men in England.

Q3: Write an account of the ways in which the legal system developed under 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, Under the Statute of Gloucester, 1278, Edward was trying to show that all justice came from the King and to stop corruption when nobles favoured their own people in their own courts. The Statute of Winchester, 1285 was thought to be the start of modern policing. It established the idea that everybody had a responsibility for making sure law and order was maintained not just the barons and the crime should be punished. Although many Medieval punishments were cruel such as hanging or burning or beheading, prisons could be charitable places. For example, the providing of law and order changed under Edward, the legal system was reformed to consolidate his authority; under the Quo Warranto investigation nobles had to prove to the king’s judges that they had the right to dispense justice. This was a way that Edward could regain royal authority. Under the Statute of Winchester, 1285 watchmen were introduced to key borders and to check a town’s gates were closed. It also confirmed that the hue and cry was a way of catching criminals. simple understanding of consequence(s) with supported with factual For example, Edward made a great contribution to the English legal system because the Statute of Gloucester, in 1278, challenged the rights of nobles to hold courts and dispense justice. General eyres sent by the King judged the more important criminal cases. For example, the King challenged the right of nobles to judge crimes and should demonstrate their ability to construct and develop a sustained line of reasoning which is coherent, relevant, substantiated and logically structured.

Q4: ‘Leadership was the main reason for success in battle during the reign of Edward I.’

How far does a study of the Battle of Stirling Bridge support this statement? Explain your answer. You should refer to the Battle of Stirling Bridge and your contextual knowledge. and AQA will be happy to rectify any omissions of acknowledgements. If you have any queries please contact the Copyright Team.

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, tactically Warenne believed in the power of the English cavalry that had been so successful at Dunbar. This was part of his arrogance and Cressingham’s, they both looked down on the Scottish troops who confronted them at Stirling Bridge. The English had no infantry over the bridge to protect the cavalry. At the start of the day they had sent the infantry over and then recalled them because Warenne overslept, then they were sent over again recalled because the Scottish Lords, James Stuart and Earl of Lennox might have been able to broker a peace deal with the Scots. Warenne did not want to engage the Scots if he did not have to and tried to get them to surrender to the Dominican Friars. The English cavalry had no room to gain momentum to resist the charge of the Scottish shiltrons. Answers may suggest that one factor has greater merit. and understanding of the site. For example, the obvious reason that the English lost was because of the nature of the site which was not suitable for heavy cavalry. It was boggy land and a natural bend in the river which meant there was no escape other than to try and swim the river which in heavy armour was nearly impossible. The Scottish shiltrons just pushed forward and cut off the retreat over the bridge only Marmaduke de Thweng had the strength and courage to escape that way. For example, another reason for the defeat of the English was poor leadership, they were arrogant, especially Hugh Cressingham who believed they would have as easy a victory as they had had at Dunbar. So, they did not think about an easier crossing point which was suggested to them by Sir Richard Lundie who wanted to use a ford two miles upstream where sixty horsemen could cross at the same time. Cressingham overruled him. And Cressingham who was the treasurer had already sent reinforcements home because he did not want to pay for them. causes by simple reasoning supported with factual knowledge and understanding of the site. For example, the main reason was leadership as John Warenne, Earl of Surrey was an old man in his sixties who did not really want to be in Scotland. He made the mistake of sending the English cavalry over a very narrow bridge where they could not manoeuvre and would quickly be outnumbered. For example, it was leadership at the Battle of Stirling Bridge because William Wallace knew just the right moment to send in his troops as the English crossed the bridge.