Question 1
Using these four sources in their historical context, assess how far they support the view that the House of Commons was satisfied with the government of the early years of Richard II’s minority.
Source A: A monk gives his account of the first Parliament of Richard II’s reign.
There were granted for the king’s use by church and clergy, two tenths payable that year on condition that the king should not burden the people with other demands for his subjects’ money, but should live of his own and continue his war. Because, in any case it was alleged, his own royal resources were sufficient both to maintain the king’s household and to continue the war, if suitable ministers managed them.
Thomas of Walsingham, St Alban’s Chronicle, written before 1422
Source B: The Parliamentary records explain events in 1377.
The commons request that the king’s council be enlarged by eight sufficient persons of differing ranks and status, to be continually in attendance as members of the council with the officers…on the business of the king and realm while our lord is of such tender years. No major or costly business shall be done or discussed without the assent and advice of them all and all lesser business by the assent and advice of at least four of them as the case requires. Four shall continually remain in the king’s council. Humbly beseeching, that…now in this parliament the eight councillors be elected from the most suitable persons of the realm and those who are best informed and who can, and will, work hardest and take pains to amend the evils and perils which were mentioned.
The Parliament Rolls of Medieval England for 1377
Source C: A monk at Gloucester gives an account of the Parliament held in 1378.
On November 17 everything concerning the government of the realm was successfully and without disagreement…happily arranged and all went to their homes rejoicing….No tax was imposed on the common people – happy to relate – nor were ecclesiastical men oppressed by any payment of tenths: but only the merchants, by common consent, supplied an aid for the king’s war, on behalf of the whole kingdom, because they were rich.
History and Charters of the monastery of St Peter, Gloucester, written in 1378
Source D: The Speaker of the House of Commons replies to a government statement about financial problems.
He said that it seemed to the commons that if their liege lord were well and reasonably governed in respect of his expenses, both inside the realm and without, he would now have no need of their aid by burdening the commons because they were too poor…He asked that in parliament there should be elected and chosen the five principal officers, from the most capable men in the realm…And the commons wished to be told the names of those chosen during this present parliament.
The Parliament Rolls of Medieval England for 1380
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Answer
