Three Feudal Kingdoms

CHW3M

Feudal System in England

5th and 6th Century Germanic tribes migrate to Britain•include Jutes, Angles and Saxons• In 886 AD. Alfred the Great unites smaller Kingdom into one nation called Angleland• Anglo Saxon King would rule for 200 years•1066 the last Anglo-Saxon king of England dies leaving no heir•ignited war for the crown

The Norman Conquest

One individual that wanted the English crown was William the conqueror • French Duke• of Viking ancestry settle in Northern France (Normandy)• distant cousin of last English King

Williams and the Normans were much more technologically advanced then the Anglo-Saxons (cavalry, archers) and easily defeated them at the Battle of Hasting

• William is crowned King• turns England into Feudal society• makes Knights swear oath as

liege lord

Great grandson of William, increases royal power in England.• massive reorganization of England’s legal system

• Jury• Common Law

Henry II

Henry II lust for power caused him to be a very unlikable man• English Nobles (feudal dues to the limit)•The Church (Thomas Beckett)• His Family

King John

• magnificent warrior, poor King• spent 6 months in England during 10 year reign (Crusades)

• Conscientious ruler• hateful man•Unsuccessful warrior

Richard I

Feudal System in France

Feudal society took longer to develop into absolute monarchy into France

– line of weak Kings

France’s monarchy was strengthened when• Louis VII “the fat” married Eleanor of Aquitaine

» inherited large Kingdom

Eleanor would divorce Louis VII and marry Henry II King of England. Forever entwining the two countries histories.

Feudal System in Germany

East Frankish Empire becomes German State• greatest early King Frederick I “Barbarossa”• preoccupied with making perfect feudal pyramid

•lost power to German princes•Germany became a series a scattered quarrelling states