The Middle Ages The Decline of the Roman Empire & the Rise of Feudalism.
Ch 5 Sec 2 "Decline of Feudalism"
Transcript of Ch 5 Sec 2 "Decline of Feudalism"
Decline of Feudalism
People continued to live on land controlled by nobles, more and more
were moving to town.
Towns began to dominate the land
Why did towns start forming?
1. Europe was growing2. The growth of trade3. They were places of opportunity
• Nobles often owned the towns or controlled the land they were on
• He would give a town charter– A legal document that listed the privileges of the
townspeople– They still paid taxes to the lord– Allowed to govern themselves
Development of Strong Monarchies
ENGLAND• England was conquered by William the
Conqueror in 1066• He established the royal dynasty the Normans• His grandson Henry II strengthened this
dynasty
William the Conqueror
Henry II
FRANCE• Hugh Capet founded a new royal line in France
called the Capetians• Phillip II seized much of the English land for
France• Phillip II also started using bailiffs who went and
collected taxes for the crown• The Capetians were successful because each
ruler was able to pass the crown down to a son
Hugh Capet
Phillip II
English Legal Practices
• Today’s trial by jury came from medieval Europe– In medieval England the jury provided the
evidence and the judge would determine if guilty– In America, the jury hears the evidence and
decides if guilty• Henry II set up common law which was
uniform laws for all of England
• England set limits on the power of the king• The document is called the Magna Carta, which
means “Great Charter”• During Edward I Parliament was set up– Started out as advisors to the king– House of Lords were the nobles– House of Commons were the knights and leading citizens– Parliament later could approve new taxes this power was
called “power of the purse”
King John signing the
Magna Carta
Edward I