Final answer:
King Henry's centralization of power exacerbated tensions existing during King John's reign, leading to demands from the nobility. King John's heavy financial exploits and loss of territories culminated in the Magna Carta, which established the rule of law over arbitrary kingly power. The correct option is C) Henry's legal reforms weakened the monarchy, leading to challenges for his successor.
Step-by-step explanation:
How did King Henry's advances in courts and common law lead to problems for his heir, King John? The increased power of the monarchy under Henry led to a more centralized government, represented by option B in your choices.
This centralization, which intensified under Henry II, played a role in the tensions that arose during King John's reign. After King Henry's death, his son John took over England where the nobility was increasingly dissatisfied with the monarchy's growing influence and the financial demands placed upon them.
John's efforts to regain lost territories, such as Normandy, meant he was forced to extract exorbitant court fees, inheritance taxes, and other revenues that strained the nobility's loyalty and resources.
The nobility's rebellion eventually resulted in the 1215 Magna Carta, emphasizing that everyone, including the king, was subject to the rule of law.
This was a turning point, asserting that the king could not rule arbitrarily and marking the foundation for constitutional governance. John's failure to manage the expectations and rights of his barons, significantly shaped by his father's actions, was a direct cause of the challenges he faced. The correct option is C) Henry's legal reforms weakened the monarchy, leading to challenges for his successor.