OCR Specification focus:
‘rebellion under John; Finances, taxation and royal customs, sale of offices.’
Introduction
Richard I’s reign in England (1189–1199) was dominated by war, heavy taxation, administrative innovation, and rising tensions, shaping both governance and subsequent unrest under John.
Warfare in Richard I’s England
Richard I, often called the Lionheart, is remembered primarily for his military focus. His reign was overshadowed by prolonged absence from England, largely due to the Third Crusade (1189–1192) and later conflicts with Philip II of France. The king’s obsession with continental warfare created significant challenges for governance in his English dominions.
Financing Warfare
Richard’s military endeavours required unprecedented sums of money. The costs of outfitting and sustaining armies, constructing fortifications, and ransoming the king after his capture in 1192 placed immense strain on royal resources. England became a financial reservoir for continental conflict.
Ransom after capture (1192–1194): Richard was held prisoner by Duke Leopold of Austria and later the Holy Roman Emperor, demanding a ransom of 150,000 marks.
Ongoing wars in Normandy (1194–1199): Conflict with Philip II consumed further funds, ensuring warfare was a constant burden on England.
Rebellion under John
During Richard’s absence, his brother John attempted to seize power. His rebellion in 1193–1194 exposed the fragility of central authority when the king was abroad.
John allied with Philip II of France to undermine Richard.
Castles and estates were seized, undermining loyalty among the nobility.
The rebellion collapsed upon Richard’s return in 1194, but it revealed how financial and political pressures could destabilise the kingdom.
Rebellion: A direct challenge to the authority of the reigning monarch, often involving nobles or royal family members seeking to usurp power or influence.
The rebellion had long-term consequences: mistrust between Richard and John, resentment among barons over heavy demands, and a precedent for instability after 1199.
Taxation and Financial Pressures
To fund crusades, ransom payments, and continental wars, Richard relied on a mix of traditional levies and innovative financial measures.
A page of the Pipe Roll for 1194, recording audited revenues and payments to the Crown. Pipe rolls were the Exchequer’s master accounts, central to raising and tracking funds for Richard’s wars and ransom. This folio shows the dense Latin entries typical of Angevin financial administration. Source
Key Forms of Taxation
Saladin Tithe (1188): Introduced by Henry II but collected under Richard, this was a levy of one-tenth on income and moveable goods, specifically to fund the crusade.
Ransom levies (1193–1194): Extraordinary taxation raised the colossal sum required for Richard’s release.
Scutage: Money payments made in lieu of military service, collected with increasing frequency under Richard.
Customs duties and royal revenues: Tolls, tariffs, and profits from justice were maximised.
Scutage: A monetary payment made by tenants-in-chief to the Crown instead of providing military service.
These measures generated resentment among nobles, clergy, and commoners alike, fostering the conditions for resistance that would later erupt under John.
Royal Customs and the Sale of Offices
Richard I also sought to maximise income by exploiting the royal prerogative.
Royal Customs
Royal customs (traditional rights and dues owed to the king) became more rigorously enforced and extended. This included:
Increased duties on trade, especially wool and cloth exports.
Heightened use of forest law, which imposed fines for breaches such as illegal hunting or woodcutting.
Sale of Offices
To raise immediate revenue, Richard openly sold positions within royal administration.
Sheriffdoms, bishoprics, and other offices were auctioned to the highest bidder.
Great Seal of Richard I (illustrated). The circular legend “RICARDVS DEI GRATIA REX ANGLORVM” signals the king’s legal authority over appointments, revenues and justice. As the instrument validating royal acts, the seal underpinned enforcement of customs and administrative changes discussed in this topic. Source
This practice weakened administrative efficiency, as competence was secondary to financial contribution.
Corruption spread, with many officials focused on recovering the costs of their purchase rather than serving the Crown loyally.
Sheriff: A royal official responsible for maintaining law and order, collecting taxes, and overseeing justice within a county.
The sale of offices ensured short-term cash but weakened long-term governance, contributing to instability during Richard’s absences.
The Strategic Context of Warfare and Governance
Richard’s reign highlights the interconnection between warfare, governance, and finance. His strategy prioritised continental conflict, leading to:
Heavy taxation that alienated subjects.
Noble discontent over the sale of offices and harsh customs enforcement.
Instability during his absence, exploited by John and foreign powers.
Richard’s skill as a commander preserved Angevin power against France, but his reliance on England as a financial base fuelled resentment that shaped the crises of the early thirteenth century.
FAQ
John’s rebellion was significant because it was backed by Philip II of France, giving it external support as well as domestic discontent.
Several English castles fell into John’s hands, undermining royal authority and exposing weaknesses in governance when the king was absent.
Although the rebellion collapsed when Richard returned in 1194, it demonstrated the potential for dynastic division to destabilise the kingdom.
The need to raise 150,000 marks for Richard’s release disrupted local economies.
Heavy levies reduced disposable wealth among landholders and townspeople.
Church treasures and plate were seized, reducing ecclesiastical resources.
Merchants faced new customs dues, slowing trade in wool and cloth.
The ransom drained wealth from all levels of society, leading to longer-term economic strain.
Sheriffs were key agents in collecting scutage, customs, and extraordinary levies.
They organised local assessments, ensured compliance, and reported sums to the Exchequer.
Because many sheriffdoms were sold to the highest bidder, officials often prioritised recovering personal costs, sometimes through harsh enforcement. This weakened trust between local communities and the Crown.
Earlier kings, including Henry II, had used scutage sparingly as a substitute for military service.
Richard increased both the frequency and the scale of scutage, using it as a regular source of revenue rather than an exceptional levy.
This shift marked a transition from personal knight service towards cash-based military finance, reflecting the costs of continental campaigns.
The sale of sheriffdoms, bishoprics, and other posts bypassed established aristocratic influence.
Wealthy newcomers could buy entry into royal administration.
Nobles lost opportunities to secure posts for kinship networks.
Local governance became unstable as officeholders prioritised profit.
This eroded confidence in Richard’s administration, while also challenging the hereditary and merit-based expectations of noble service.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks)
Identify two methods used by Richard I to raise money for his wars and ransom.
Mark Scheme:
1 mark for each valid method identified.
Acceptable answers include:
Scutage (money payments in place of military service)
Sale of offices (e.g., sheriffdoms, bishoprics)
Ransom levy (extraordinary taxation for Richard’s release in 1193–1194)
Saladin Tithe (levy on income and moveable goods)
Increased customs duties (on trade, e.g., wool exports)
Question 2 (6 marks)
Explain how Richard I’s methods of raising money for war and ransom affected his relationship with the English nobility.
Mark Scheme:
Level 1 (1–2 marks): Simple or generalised statements with limited knowledge.
Example: “The nobles disliked paying taxes.”
Level 2 (3–4 marks): Some explanation with relevant knowledge, though may lack detail or balance.
Example: “The nobles resented Richard’s frequent collection of scutage because it placed a heavy financial burden on them, especially as he was often abroad.”
Level 3 (5–6 marks): Clear, developed explanation with specific knowledge and understanding of consequences.
Example: “The nobility resented repeated demands for scutage and extraordinary levies, such as the ransom in 1193–1194, which drained their resources. The sale of offices also alienated nobles, as positions were granted based on money rather than merit, undermining traditional aristocratic influence. These measures caused long-term resentment, weakening baronial loyalty and setting precedents for unrest under John.”
