Diffusion of Ideas and Systems: 600-1450

The Middle Ages in Europe

Unit 4A Lesson 1

Key UnderstandingNew political, economic and social structures emerge upon the collapse of political systems to provide protection and services to people in a society.

Causes and Effects: Medieval Europe

Causes and Effects: Medieval EuropeDecline of Rome Formation of

Medieval Europe

Causes and Effects: Medieval EuropeRoman army is

unable to defend the Empire.

Empire is overrun by “Barbarians” – Mongols, Huns, Franks.

Causes and Effects: Medieval EuropeInflation People are unable to

afford food

Causes and Effects: Medieval EuropePeople’s loyalty to

the empire declinesPeople are unwilling

to serve the Empire

Causes and Effects: Medieval EuropeRoman rulers are

corrupt, lack morals, and cannot maintain control.

The Empire is split and Constantinople is established as a 2nd capitol.

Causes and Effects: Medieval EuropePeople seek

protection from invaders.

Feudalism develops and the Church becomes powerful.

England & France Develop

William of Normandy (William the Conqueror) led a French Army and defeated Harold the Saxon for the English throne.

William became William I of England.

William the Conqueror &The Battle of Hastings - 1066

He declared all of England his personal property.

Granted land to about 200 Norman lords

Laid the foundation for centralized government

William the Conqueror &The Battle of Hastings - 1066

Grandson of William I made major reforms to the royal power in England.

Consolidated courts – more crimes and civil cases would be tried by the Royal Courts

Henry II (Plantagenet)

Common Law developed – laws are created by decisions of the judges, earlier decisions are used as precedents.

Grand Jury System – a jury determines if there is enough evidence to justify a trial

Henry II (Plantagenet)

Attempted to bring the church courts under his control

Failed after his clash with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas à Becket

Henry II (Plantagenet)

John and Richard the Lionhearted were both sons of Henry II.

John - Ineffective ruler – lost territory to the French, taxed heavily and abandoned jury trials to punish his enemies

John &The Magna Carta - 1215

A large group of his vassal lords revolted against him in 1215 and forced him to sign the Magna Carta at Runnymede

The Magna Carta required the king to observe due process of law

John &The Magna Carta - 1215

Was intended to protect the lords, but it later protected merchants and peasants

Became the foundation of the English system of constitutional government

John &The Magna Carta - 1215

War began when the French King died with no heirs.

The English King (who was a French-speaking descendant of William the Conqueror) claimed the French throne.

In 1429 Joan of Arc drove the English out of France. She was captured by the English and burnt at the stake.

1337-1453 – The Hundred Years War