Political Developments of the Middle Ages

Goal 7 – Political Development in the Holy Roman Empire, England, and France

The student will trace the political developments of the Holy Roman Empire, England and France in medieval Europe. 7.05 Evaluate the reigns of the Anglo-Norman kings of England including William I,

William II, and Henry I. 7.06 Assess the political achievements and developments of the reigns of the

Plantagenet kings including but not limited to Henry II, Richard I, John, and Edward I. 7.07 Judge the influence of the Magna Carta and the English Parliament on later

forms of representative government. 7.08 Trace the events of the Hundred Years’ War and Wars of the Roses. 7.09 Judge the effects of the Hundred Years’ War and Wars of the Roses on later

cultural and political developments in medieval England and France 7.10 Assess the political achievements and developments of the Capetian dynasty

in medieval France. Goal 8 – Nation-Building on the Periphery of Europe The student will trace the political developments of the nations of

Spain, Portugal, the Swiss Confederation, Russia, and Eastern Europe. 8.01 Describe the political developments of medieval Spain and assess its cultural

distinctiveness from medieval Europe. 8.02 Survey the political developments of medieval Portugal.

Content Goals and Objectives:

Hugh Capet (938–996)Philip II (1180–1222)Philip IV (1285–1314)Most powerful kingdom

in Europe by the 14th century

France

Hugh Capet

Beginning in the 8th century, foundations were laid for many modern European nations. Although the borders would stay fluid for many coming centuries, the political basis for countries like France, England, and Spain began to appear.

In 987, the Capetian dynasty assumed French rule under Hugh Capet. At the time, France was a collection of semi-independent states that included Normandy, Flanders, Anjou, and Aquitaine.

Later, Philip II managed to bring several feudal territories claimed by England under French control.

His military successes also enabled him to gain more authority over the nobility. By the reign of Philip IV (1285–1314), France had become the most powerful state in Europe.

France continued

England

1066: Norman InvasionWilliam the Conqueror

(1027–1087) Brought feudalism to

England Henry II (1154–1189)

Instituted a single common law code, unified court system

William the Conqueror

In 1066, the Normans—a French-speaking group of Viking descendants who had settled in Northern France—invaded England and toppled the Saxon king. Under William the Conqueror, the Normans established an Anglo-

Norman government that slowly integrated traditional customs of the region with Norman traditions.

William the Conqueror imported French-style feudalism into England.

After William’s death in 1087, England went through a time of brief destabilization as his heirs fought over his titles and property.

The country regained its strength under Henry II (1154–1189). Henry instituted a single common law code which applied equally

to citizens; he also created a unified court system which included jury trials.

England continued

As the 13th century progressed, English kings continually needed money—especially for war.

Henry III (1216–1272) – resisted Parliament, a rebellion ensued & he was removed from throne

Edward I (1239–1307) –Henry’s son; wanted to grant power to collect money via Great Council

Original parliament House of Lords: nobles and church

lords House of Commons: knights and

residents King could no longer tax without the consent of

the people The great council, later called Parliament,

wanted to control royal spending—and the power of the monarch.

Development of Parliament

Edward I

Two groups gradually formed in Parliament: House of Commons (Knights & Burgesses) House of Lords (Nobles & Bishops)

At first Parliament was meant to be a tool to weaken the great lords. As time went by, however, Parliament became strong.

Like the Magna Carta, it provided a check on royal power.

England Develops

Many city-states on the Italian peninsula

Changed hands often; controlled at times by Germanic tribes, Byzantines, and the French

Rome and the Papal States remained important

Italian City-States

Medieval Italy

Islamic forces took control of Spain in the early 8th century

Muslim innovations Agriculture Architecture Math and

science

Islam in Europe

Great Mosque of Córdoba

The Reconquista of SpainMuslims ruled the

Iberian Peninsula for nearly 800 years

Reconquista: Struggle between Christians and Muslims to control Spain

718–1492King Ferdinand of

Aragon and Isabella of Castile

Isabella and Ferdinand

The Hundred Years’ War: 1337–1453

Struggles between French and English royal families over who would rule either country

Conflicts over territory, trade

The Hundred Years’ War: Causes

English ruler Edward III

England had early victories

The French eventually expelled the British from mainland Europe

English military innovation: the archer

The Hundred Years’ War: Battles

The Battle of Crecy, the first major battle of the Hundred Years’ War

Transitional periodNew kingdoms evolvedThe Church became a

dominant forceModern institutions

originated

Legacy of the Medieval Era

Characteristics of the New Monarchies

1. They offered the institution of monarchy as a guarantee of law and order.

2. They proclaimed that hereditary monarchy was the legitimate form of public power all should accept this without resistance.

3. They enlisted the support of the middle class in the towns tired of the local power of feudal nobles.

4. They would have to get their monarchies sufficiently organized & their finances into reliable order.

Characteristics of the New Monarchies

5. They would break down the mass of feudal, inherited, customary, or “common” law in which the rights of the feudal classes were entrenched.

6. The kings would MAKE law, enact it by his own authority, regardless of previous custom or historic liberties What pleases the prince has the force of law!

1. a sentiment based on common cultural characteristics that binds a population and often produces a policy of national independence or separatism

2. loyalty or devotion to one's country; patriotism

England stability under the TudorsFrance consolidation of power.Spain unification by marriage.Russia Vikings make Moscow. Ivan the Terrible rules with an Iron Fist.Italy unification denied by outside forces and the Vatican/Pope.HR Empire different model: the cost of decentralization.Ottoman Empire Turks conqueror Constantinople laying foundation for modern Turkey.

England

Anglo-Saxons had been in control of England since about the 5th century

Their last King was Edward the confessor.

In 1051 Edward the Confessor promised William Duke of Normandy that he would name him the heir to the throne of England.

However When Edward dies in 1066 the witenagemot (an Anglo-Saxon council of 100 nobles that advise the King), chose Harold of Wessex to be the new King

The Norman Conquest!

Norman = NormandyNorseman = Vikings

The Battle of HastingsOccurred on 14 October 1066 Hastings is located in Southeast England

(see the red dot!)

The battle was between William Duke of Normandy and Harold II King of England (formerly Harold of Wessex) The Battle of Hastings so a close fight. It was only by chance that Harold was killed before William, giving the Normans the victory.For some contemporaries of the battle the outcome was the result of divine will, rather than military prowess.

The Bayeux Tapestry

long embroidered cloth which depicts the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England as well as the events of the invasion itself.

Harold II dies; William wins!

Harold gets shot through the eye with an arrow and dies! His troops flee at the sight of their fallen leader.

The Bayeux Tapestry (an embroidered strip of linen) tells the story of William’s conquest of England.

After his victory, William Duke of Normandy became known as William I of England.

William is credited with kick-starting England into the phase known as Medieval England. He introduced modern castle building techniques and by his death in 1087, he had financially tied down many people with the Domesday Book.

William of England

The Domesdays Book is the written record of a census and survey of English landowners and their property made by order of William the Conqueror in 1085–1086

If you know who owns what

land… you can tax them!!!!

Henry II

Strengthen the legal system throughout England

Established Common LawEstablished Grand Jury and Petit

Jury

Common Law

The system of laws originated and developed in England and based on court decisions, on the doctrines implicit in those decisions, and on customs and usages rather than on codified written laws.

Precedent: former court decision

Grand JuryA jury of 12 to 23 persons convened in private session to evaluate

accusations against persons charged with crime and to determine whether the evidence warrants a bill of indictment.

Normally done by Nobels.

Petit Jury

a jury of 12 persons empanelled to determine the facts of a case and decide the issue pursuant to the direction of the court on points of law.

Judged by your own Class of people

a.k.a. “Jury of your peers”

Thomas à Becket

Archbishop of CanterburyQuarreled with King over who had ultimate

power: The Church or the King.Thomas à Becket believed the Pope had ultimate

power. “Will no one rid me of [him.]”4 Knights killed Thomas à Becket while praying.

Murder of Thomas à Becket

Eleanor of Aquitaine

Only woman ever to be both Queen of England and Queen of France.Queen of France:

She owned the large tract of land called Aquitaine in Southern France.

Married for her land and wealth by King of France

She only produced two daughters –could not produce male heir

King of France divorced her for…not producing male heir

Eleanor: Queen of England

Married King Henry II.Married for her land and wealth.She tried to overthrow Henry II unsuccessfully Imprisoned for 16 yearsFreed when Henry DiedRuled England as “Firm but Fair” leader

Richard I “The Lionhearted”

Fought in the 3rd Crusade

Was captured by Saladin

Mother Eleanor ruled England as Reagent in his absence

Ransomed and returned to England

King John (“Lackland”)

Very Unpopular KingFought with everyoneLost many landsChased into a barn and forced to sign the

Magna Carta “A horse, a horse; my kingdom for a horse!”

Magna Carta

The Great CharterGave Due ProcessHabeas CorpusGuaranteed “No Taxation without

Representation”Conflict between King John

and the English nobilityNobles rebelled against

excessive taxation, forced King John to sign the Magna Carta in 1215

Limited power of the monarchFormal recognition that the

king was not above the law

Why is the Magna Carta Important?

Established the foundations for Democracy.

Creates a Limited Monarchy.Established Man’s Rights to

certain Freedoms or Inalienable Rights

Hundred Years War

Henry V fights for English land in France.

He defeats a much larger force at the Battle of Agincourt.

Extremely Popular!Wins Battles, but loose the War!

“From this day to the ending of the world,But we in it shall be remembered-We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;For he to-day that sheds his blood with meShall be my brother!”

War of the Roses

English Civil WarWho fought in the Wars of the Roses? • The Wars of the Roses was fought between two rival families

who both laid claim to the throne of England: the House of Lancaster and the House of York.

Decline of the Monarchy - Expenses of the Hundred Years War Increasing power of House of Commons Powerful nobles, including too many king’s uncles!

The Wars of the Roses was a civil war fought in England. It lasted for just over 30 years from 1455 to 1487, however, the battles were mostly small and sometimes were years apart.

The House of Lancaster The House of York

What did Roses have to do with it? •The "War of the Roses" comes from the symbols, or badges, of the two warring houses: the House of Lancaster was represented by a red rose and the House of York by a white rose.

What started the war? •The reasons behind the wars were complex. Both houses claimed to have a right to the English throne as descendants of King Edward III.•the current king, Henry VI, was mentally ill and was being advised by corrupt and unpopular nobles.

Interesting Facts about the Wars of the Roses• One of the largest battles in the war was the Battle of Towton where over 50,000 soldiers fought and around 25,000 soldiers were killed. •Edward IV was six foot four inches tall. This was very tall for the time. •The two houses were both branches of the royal House of Plantagenet.• Some English nobles switched sides several times hoping to end up on the winning side in the end. •Margaret of Anjou led the Lancastrian army during several of the battles. •The Battle of Losecote Field got its name when several of the losers took off their coats in order to run away faster..

War of the Roses

Henry VII

The House of TudorDefeated Richard at the Battle of

Bosworth Field.Strengthened his position by

marrying Elizabeth of York, reuniting the two royal houses

Henry VIII

Wanted a Divorce from 1st Wife, but Pope would not grant it!

Separated from the Catholic Church; made Anglican Church.

Began Protestant branch of Christianity

Henry’s 7 Wives

Henry’s 7 Wives

Elizabeth I

Virgin Queen

Our State of Virginia was named after her

The Windsors

Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was the original name… changed to Windsor during WW1 due to anti-German sentiment.

Queen Victoria (1837-1901) married Prince Albert of Germany.Name/House changed due to Marriage (i.e. taking his name)

France

After the rule of Charlemagne the Frankish Kingdom began to fail.

His grandsons split the kingdom into 3 parts, this weakened their power.

By the 890’s (not even 100’s after Charlemagne’s death) The Carolingian Dynasty was under attack

From 893 to 987 the throne bounced back and forth between the Carolingians and the descendants of Robert the Strong.

In 987 Hugh Capet became king and his direct descendants would rule France until 1328 with the death of Charles IV

This became known as the Capetian Dynasty

The Valois and Bourbon (Louis XIV!) dynasties were actually related branches of the original Capetian dynasty

Hundred Years War When Charles IV (last of the Capetians) died in 1328, he had no heir Dispute erupted over how should succeed him.

Edward III of England claimed that because Charles IV’s sister was his own mother, that he should have the rightful claim to the French throne

It was decided by the French, however, that Charles’ cousin Philip would become king. Edward was outraged by the decision but was unable to launch an attack on France until

1337 This began a conflict that lasted for 116 years known as the Hundred Years War.

Results of the Hundred Year War

The war laid waste to much of France and caused enormous suffering; it virtually destroyed the feudal nobility and thereby brought about a new social order.

By ending England's status as a power on the continent (Europe, remember England is on an island), it led the English to expand their reach and power at sea.

Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc was born in 1412 in the Champagne region of France.

At the age of 14 she began hearing voices that she believed were that of 3 Saints. They told her that she must free France from English dominance.

In 1429 Joan lead troops in the name of French King Charles VII at the city Orléans.

Joan helped raise troop moral and for the 1st time the war began to shift in France’s favor.

Unfortunately Joan was captured by the Burgundians (England’s French allies) during a battle in 1430.

Joan of

ArcJoan of Arc being burned at the stake

Joan was put on trial by the church 3 times and eventually found guilty of being a heretic.

Joan was burned at the stake by the British on May 30th 1431

Joan of Arc is still a idolized Patriot of France. She was canonized (turned into a saint) in the 1920’s by the Catholic Church.

100 Years War-first Modern war

Cannon could batter down walls with ease

No longer needed to use siege weapons

100 Years War-first Modern war

Very basic Handguns

100 Years War

LongbowAccurate, Deadly& Long RangeKnights in Heavy Armor were in terror of the Longbow

“Pluck You” with the Yew Tree

Spain

Until 1479 Spain did not truly exist as a united Kingdom. The Iberian peninsula had 5 different Kingdoms on it.

In 1479 the Marriage of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile, brought together the two largest kingdoms on the peninsula into a political alliance.

Since the 700’s Muslims, had occupied parts of Spain. In 1492 Ferdinand and Isabella used their armies to drive out the Moors, Spanish Muslims, from their last strong hold in the south, the Kingdom of Granada.1 2

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Ferdinand & Isabella of Spain

The Madonna of the Monarchs

The two monarchs consolidated their power by taking away powers from the church courts and the nobles in their lands.

Ferdinand and Isabella were very devout Catholics. They initiated the state persecution of non-Christians (non-Catholics), by forcing Jews and Muslims to convert to Christianity.

Spanish monarchs remained loyal to the Catholic Church for centuries

A hundred years later King Philip II continues this devotion to the Catholic Church as he expanded the empire to the west and tried to defeat Protestants in France.

RECONQUISTA -1492 AD

DROVE MOORS (Muslims/Islam) out of Spain and back into North Africa

DROVE Jews out of Spain

Inquisition: (Large Religious Trial)

Killed or converted Heretics and non-believers/ non-faithful