2025 AQA AS HISTORY 7041/2A Royal Authority and the Angevin Kings, 1154–1216
Component 2A The Reign of Henry II, 1154–1189
Question paper and Marking scheme Merged
AS
HISTORY
Royal Authority and the Angevin Kings, 1154–1216
Component 2A The Reign of Henry II, 1154–1189
Monday 19 May 2025 Afternoon Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
Materials
For this paper you must have:
• an AQA 16-page answer book.
Instructions
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
• Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is
7041/2A.
• Answer two questions.
In Section A answer Question 01.
In Section B answer either Question 02 or Question 03.
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 50.
• You will be marked on your ability to:
– use good English
– organise information clearly
– use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
Advice
• You are advised to spend about:
– 50 minutes on Section A
– 40 minutes on Section B.
, 2
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Source A
From ‘A History of England’ by Roger of Howden, a royal clerk under Henry II, compiled in
the early years of the thirteenth century.
Young Henry was greatly offended that his father was unwilling to agree to his request to
give him some portion of his territories. He had made this request at the suggestion of
King Louis and those barons who disliked his father. From that time, Young Henry had
been seeking an opportunity for withdrawing from his father. By 1173, he was so angry
that he could not even talk with the King in a peaceable manner. Having gained his 5
opportunity, Young Henry left his father, and proceeded to the King of France. However,
Young Henry’s chancellor, chaplain, and chamberlain abandoned him, and returned to the
King of England. Thus did the King’s son lose his senses. He alone was guilty.
Source B
From a letter to Eleanor of Aquitaine by Peter of Blois, a diplomat at Henry II’s court, 1173.
The letter was made public. Peter supported Henry during the Becket dispute.
A woman who does not submit to her husband disrupts nature. We condemn your leaving
your husband. What is worse, you have opened the way for the King’s children to rise
against him. We know that you will be the cause of widespread disaster. Your actions will
result in ruin for everyone. Through your childish advice you provoke disaster for the
King. And so, before this matter reaches a bad end, you should return with your sons to 5
your husband, whom you have promised to obey. He will undoubtedly show you every
possible kindness. I beg you, advise your sons to be obedient and respectful to their
father. He has suffered many anxieties, offences and grievances.
0 1 With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context, which
of these two sources is more valuable in explaining the origins of the Great Rebellion in
1173?
[25 marks]
IB/G/Jun25/7041/2A
Component 2A The Reign of Henry II, 1154–1189
Question paper and Marking scheme Merged
AS
HISTORY
Royal Authority and the Angevin Kings, 1154–1216
Component 2A The Reign of Henry II, 1154–1189
Monday 19 May 2025 Afternoon Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
Materials
For this paper you must have:
• an AQA 16-page answer book.
Instructions
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
• Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is
7041/2A.
• Answer two questions.
In Section A answer Question 01.
In Section B answer either Question 02 or Question 03.
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 50.
• You will be marked on your ability to:
– use good English
– organise information clearly
– use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
Advice
• You are advised to spend about:
– 50 minutes on Section A
– 40 minutes on Section B.
, 2
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Source A
From ‘A History of England’ by Roger of Howden, a royal clerk under Henry II, compiled in
the early years of the thirteenth century.
Young Henry was greatly offended that his father was unwilling to agree to his request to
give him some portion of his territories. He had made this request at the suggestion of
King Louis and those barons who disliked his father. From that time, Young Henry had
been seeking an opportunity for withdrawing from his father. By 1173, he was so angry
that he could not even talk with the King in a peaceable manner. Having gained his 5
opportunity, Young Henry left his father, and proceeded to the King of France. However,
Young Henry’s chancellor, chaplain, and chamberlain abandoned him, and returned to the
King of England. Thus did the King’s son lose his senses. He alone was guilty.
Source B
From a letter to Eleanor of Aquitaine by Peter of Blois, a diplomat at Henry II’s court, 1173.
The letter was made public. Peter supported Henry during the Becket dispute.
A woman who does not submit to her husband disrupts nature. We condemn your leaving
your husband. What is worse, you have opened the way for the King’s children to rise
against him. We know that you will be the cause of widespread disaster. Your actions will
result in ruin for everyone. Through your childish advice you provoke disaster for the
King. And so, before this matter reaches a bad end, you should return with your sons to 5
your husband, whom you have promised to obey. He will undoubtedly show you every
possible kindness. I beg you, advise your sons to be obedient and respectful to their
father. He has suffered many anxieties, offences and grievances.
0 1 With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context, which
of these two sources is more valuable in explaining the origins of the Great Rebellion in
1173?
[25 marks]
IB/G/Jun25/7041/2A
