British Culture - Class Study Notes

Chapter 5

Summary:

The provided text discusses three main topics: the power struggle between Church and state in
England, the development of Parliament, and the interactions with the Celtic regions (Wales,
Ireland, and Scotland).

 Church and State:

 The conflict between Church and state began with the pope's claim of authority
over William in 1066. This led to disputes over whether bishops should obey the
Church or the king.
 The struggle involved power and money. The Church sought authority over both
spiritual and earthly matters, while kings appointed loyal bishops.
 Key events included the quarrel between William Rufus and Anselm, and Henry II's
conflict with Thomas Becket, resulting in Becket's murder.
 Eventually, a balance was reached where the Church could create bishops, but
they paid homage to the king.
 Beginnings of Parliament:
 King John's reluctant signing of Magna Carta led to the nobles' rebellion, creating a
council of nobles that evolved into a parliament.
 Simon de Montfort established a parliament, including commoners, which took
control of the treasury and influenced the king's decisions.
 Edward I further developed this by creating a representative institution, the House
of Commons, including gentry and merchants.
 The idea of "no taxation without representation" emerged from this development.
 Dealing with the Celts:
 England's interactions with Wales involved conquest, castle-building, and eventual
unity under English rule.
 In Ireland, Norman lords conquered the land with English backing, but English
control was limited to certain areas due to Irish resistance and internal conflicts.
 Scotland's relationship with England was complex, involving marriages, feudalism,
and English overlordship attempts.
 William Wallace and Robert Bruce led Scotland's resistance against English rule,
culminating in the Battle of Bannockburn and the emergence of Scottish
nationalism.

Study Notes:

 Church and State:

 Conflict origins: Pope's claim of authority over William in 1066.
 Struggle for authority: Church's desire for spiritual and earthly control vs. kings'
appointments of loyal bishops.
 Key conflicts: William Rufus vs. Anselm, Henry II vs. Thomas Becket.
 Outcome: Balance between Church and state, with the Church creating bishops but
paying homage to the king.
  Beginnings of Parliament:
 Magna Carta: King John's reluctant signing led to nobles' rebellion and the
emergence of a council of nobles.
 Simon de Montfort: Established a parliament including commoners, which
influenced the king's decisions.
 Edward I: Created the House of Commons, representing gentry and merchants,
and introduced "no taxation without representation."
 Dealing with the Celts:
 Wales: Norman lords' conquest, castle-building, and eventual unity under English
rule.
 Ireland: Norman conquest, Irish resistance, limited English control, and emergence
of Anglo-Irish lords.
 Scotland: Strong Scottish kings, ties to England, Robert Bruce's resistance, Battle
of Bannockburn, Scottish nationalism.

Key Themes:

 Power struggle between Church and state.

 Development of Parliament and representative institutions.
 Interactions with Celtic regions, including conquest and resistance.

 Emergence of national identities in Wales, Ireland, and Scotland.