Against the Lord's anointed: aspects of warfare and baronial rebellion in England and Normandy 1075-1265

Strickland, M.J. (1994) Against the Lord's anointed: aspects of warfare and baronial rebellion in England and Normandy 1075-1265. In: Garnett, G. and Hudson, J. (eds.) Law and government in medieval England and Normandy: essays in honour of Sir James Holt. Cambridge University Press, pp. 56-79. ISBN 9780521430760

Abstract

Within a framework of arbitrary, monarchical government, baronial rebellion formed one of the principal means both of expressing political discontent and of seeking the redress of grievances. So frequent were its manifestations that hostilities arising from armed opposition to the crown account for a large proportion of warfare waged in England, Normandy and the continental Angevin lands in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. The subject of revolt, lying as it does close to the heart of crownbaronial interaction, is as fundamental as it is multifaceted, embracing many issues of central importance, for example the legal status of revolt and its complex relationship with concepts of treason; the nature of homage and fealty, and the question of the revocability of these bonds in relation to the king; the growth in notions of the crown, of maiestas and the influence of Roman Law; political theories of resistance and obedience; the limitations imposed by ties of kinship and of political sympathy among the baronage on the king's ability to suppress revolt and to enforce effective punishment; and the extent of the king's logistical and military superiority.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Strickland, Professor Matthew
• Authors: Strickland, M.J.
• Subjects: D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain > DAW Central Europe; D History General and Old World > D History (General) > D111 Medieval History
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > History
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• ISBN: 9780521430760
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 1994 Cambridge University Press
• First Published: Cambridge
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced with permission of the publisher