Question 1
Using these four sources in their historical context, assess how far they support the view that
the government dealt effectively with the renewal of war with France after 1377.
Source A: The king and Council in parliament send out instructions.
To the mayor and bailiffs and true men of the city of York. Order at the cost of the most able and richest men of the said city, not charging other middling people of lower estate, to cause one small barge with from fifty to forty oars with all speed to be built before March 1 next. The same is to be ready on that day to sail with the king’s navy for the defence of the realm. They should know assuredly that, if by their lukewarmness the voyage be hindered or delayed, the king will deservedly punish them.
Order made on 30 November 1377
Source B: An English monk at St Albans gives an account of how England was defended in 1378.
John Philpot, a citizen of London, a man outstanding in both thought and deed, saw the failure of the duke of Lancaster and other lords who should have defended the realm and he was distressed by the way the people were oppressed. So, with his own money, he recruited 1000 armed men to seize the ships and goods which pirates had stolen and to protect the realm of England from such raids.
Thomas of Walsingham, Chronicon Angliae 1328–1388, written before 1422
Source C: A royal minister explains to parliament why taxes are needed.
It is very obvious to everyone that our lord king, his realm of England and his other lands are threatened on all sides by our enemies, who are increasing daily. We have many ports from which we can harass our enemies, which have not been in English hands very long. Such are Cherbourg and Brest, not to mention Calais, Bordeaux and Bayonne, which require no small sum to protect and thus a large sum must be devoted to safeguarding the same. Our lord king spends annually at Calais and its surrounding borders, more than £24 000.
Parliamentary Rolls, October 1378
Source D: An anonymous chronicler, with connections to the royal court, gives his account of the fighting in 1379.
It was decided in parliament that Sir John Arundel and many other knights and commons ought to go to Brittany to aid the duke of Brittany against his enemies...They came to the coast on 6 December and embarked and took many girls with them in great elation of spirit. When they were sailing on the high seas there arose a tempest so horrible and hideous that it was phenomenal. It lasted nine days and they were driven from land to land. During that time seventeen ships were lost and Sir John Arundel was driven on to the coast of Ireland.
Anonimalle Chronicle, 1333–1381
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Answer
