MIDDLE AGES D’WALL’S WORLD HISTORY. Monarchs, Nobles, and the Church During feudal times,...

MIDDLE AGES

D’WALL’SWORLD HISTORY

Monarchs, Nobles, and the Church

During feudal times, monarchs in Europe stood at the head of society but had limited power. Nobles and the Church had as much—or more—power than the monarchs.

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Development of England

• Angles, Saxons, and Vikings settled in England

• Feudalism developed

• English rulers kept kingdom united

• 1066 King Edward the Confessor dies– no heir

– council of nobles chose Harold


• Duke William of Normandy– claims throne– raises army– backed by pope

• Battle of Hastings in 1066– William and knights defeat King Harold– last invasion of England

Battle of Hastings


• Bayeux Tapestry– chronicles Norman conquest– http://www.bayeuxtapestry.org.uk

– valuable piece of historical evidence

http://www.bayeuxtapestry.org.uk/


• Henry II– foundations of English Common Law

• legal system based on custom and court rulings

• protects property– early jury system

– married Eleanor of Aquitaine• vast holdings in France

Bellwork

• On a half sheet of paper answer the following questions:

1. What was the Magna Carta?2. Who signed it?3. In what country was it signed?4. What two important principles did it

contain?5. How is it similar to the Constitution?

Eleanor of Aquitaine

Development of England and France

• Eleanor of Aquitaine– first married to France’s King Louis VII– joined Second Crusade

• wore armor and rode horse with other Crusaders

– she ended marriage to Louis VII

– married England’s King Henry II– 8 children

• Richard (“the Lion-Hearted”)• John

– spurred several sons to overthrow Henry II– revolt failed– 15 years in prison

Richard I (Lionheart) John I


• Magna Carta - 1215– King John is forced to sign the

Magna Carta by the nobles.– 1st document in English history

where monarch does not have complete or absolute power

• created limited monarchy

– ideas still influence systems of government in many countries around world today


• Magna Carta - 1215– places King of England under law– statement of rights for noblemen

• protects privileges of lords• recognizes legal rights of townspeople and Church

– king agrees not to raise taxes without consulting the Great Council

– representative body of lords and clergy– in 1200s, evolves into Parliament

Successful Monarchs in France

Monarchs in France did not rule over a unified kingdom. However, under strong Capetian kings, such as Philip II and Louis IX, they slowly increased royal power.

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Development of France

• Louis IX– most admired of his time– generous, noble, devoted to justice & chivalry– deeply religious, declared a saint– led France in 2 wars against Muslims– improved royal government

• outlawed private wars• ended serfdom• created strong national feeling (nationalism)

– established absolute monarchy

(complete authority)– St. Louis named for Louis IX

Louis IX – St. Louis


• Philip IV– established Estates General


• Estates General– French legislature

• includes reps from all 3 estates, or classes– clergy, nobles, townspeople

– did not develop same role at British Parliament• never gained power of purse• never served as balance to royal power

Development of France and England

• France– Absolute Monarchy

• England– Limited Monarchy

MIDDLE AGES D’WALL’S WORLD HISTORY. Monarchs, Nobles, and the Church During feudal times,...

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