The Devil's Brood

Subject: History
Level: Secondary
Age Group: 11 - 14
Order Number: 7003

The History Portfolio, the acclaimed and popular collection of black and white photocopiable drawings has now been expanded to cover national histories, The Roots of European Civilisation, and A History of Architecture.

Each pack contains maps, drawings, diagrams and cartoons giving a wealth of information on the period that can be used to complement with a wide range of teaching and learning styles with pupils of all abilities.

Packs come complete with teacher notes which give background information on the events and people depicted on each sheet.

Pack C2 - The Devil's Brood

The creation of the multi-national Angevin Empire by Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine enabled Kings of England to play a more decisive part in European affairs. Henry's great judicial reforms and prodigious energy led him to challenge the authority of the Roman Church especially over the 'Benefit of Clergy' which led directly to the quarrel with Becket. The vast concentration of wealth and power inherited by Richard I (1189) enabled him to play a leading role in the Third Crusade. But the violence, intemperance and abuse of the power of the 'Devil's Brood' found its worst expression in John and Henry III. The loss of the Angevin Empire to France after the Battle of Bouvines (1214) led to a new national consciousness and concentration on domestic and constitutional issues.

Compelling the King to accept the Rule of Law became a crucial issue from Magna Carta (1216) onwards. Slowly Parliament evolved from a merely passive consultative body to one which exercised a check on the King's power through witholding consent to taxation and removing ministers. Simon de Montfort's role in this is all-important.