English History Timeline 1220-1229

Henry’s mother, Isabella, married Hugh de Lusignan, who was betrothed to Henry’s sister Joan. The marriage gave Hugh and Isabella a large power base in south-west France. She wrote to Henry excusing her behaviour by stating that Joan was too young to bear Hugh the heirs he desperately needed and that she had married him to prevent him seeking a French alliance. She also asked Henry to grant her the lands in Poitou that had been promised to her on her marriage to John. Henry refused this request.

Work began on Salisbury Cathedral

King Henry III was given a second coronation at Westminster Abbey because the Pope believed that Henry’s first coronation in 1216 had not been carried out properly.

King Henry’s sister, Joan, aged ten years, married King Alexander II of Scotland.

Dominican monks began work on Blackfriars, a college of Oxford University.

A new coin, the farthing, was minted.

William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke, took the castles at Carmarthen and Cardigan from Llywelyn the Great.

Henry faced a rebellion led by Falkes de Bréauté who was concerned by the growing power of Hubert de Burgh. However, the rebellion failed and de Bréauté and his allies were forced to hand over some of their properties.

Falkes de Bréauté continued to be critical of the power of Hubert de Burgh. De Burgh ordered de Bréauté to give Bedford and Plympton Castles to the Crown. Falkes refused stating that Plympton Castle was his by right of marriage.

Henry’s sister, Eleanor married William Marshal.

King Louis VIII of France attacked Poitou, which was English territory, and took the city of La Rochelle. The French king also made it clear Gascony would be attacked next.

Falkes de Bréauté was found guilty of a trumped up charge of breach of the peace. His brother William then seized one of the Justices who had tried his brother’s case and took him to Bedford Castle.

Henry III placed Bedford Castle under siege.

William de Bréauté was captured and hanged.

Falkes de Bréauté surrendered to the King, gave up his possessions to the Crown and agreed to exile in France.

King Henry III lifted the siege of Bedford Castle.

The first Franciscan monks arrived in England.

English troops were sent to France to defend Gascony but they made no attempt to recover Poitou from the French.

The Franciscan monks founded Greyfriars Monastery in London.

Agreement was reached with France.

King Henry III reached his majority and was given some governmental responsibility but Hugh de Burgh remained influential.

Hubert de Burgh was appointed Justiciar for life.

Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury, died.

Walter d’Eynsham was appointed new Archbishop of Canterbury by the monks of Canterbury.

The appointment of Walter d’Eynsham as Archbishop of Canterbury was overturned by the Pope and Henry III and Richard le Grant was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury in his stead.