PowerPoint Presentation
PreviewMain Idea / Reading Focus
The English Monarchy
Faces of History: Eleanor of Aquitaine
Other European Monarchies
Map: The Holy Roman Empire
The Growth of Monarchies
Reading FocusHow did the power of the English monarchy grow and change?
How did kings increase their powers in the other monarchies of Europe?
Main IdeaThe power of kings grew and the nature of monarchy changed across Europe in the early Middle Ages.The Growth of Monarchies
Alfred drove the Viking forces north of London to what became the Danelaw, a territory under Viking control.England was one of the first countries in Europe to develop a strong central monarchy. Under the Anglo-Saxons, who first unified the country, and then under the Normans, who conquered the Anglo-Saxons, the English kings exercised considerable power.Anglo-Saxon rulers descendants of Angles, Saxons who invaded in 400s
For most of period, England divided into seven small kingdoms
Each had own laws, customs
Anglo-Saxon EnglandThe English Monarchy800s, Danish Vikings invaded, conquered several Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, not all of England
878, Viking campaign cut short by Alfred the Great, king of Wessex in southern England
Danish Vikings
Alfreds descendants ruled England for most of next two centuries
1066, king died without heir; two men claimed throne: Harold, Anglo-Saxon nobleman from England; William, duke of Normandy in France
Supported by English nobility, Harold named new king
William decided to take crown by force; gathered army, sailed for England where Harold met him
Two armies fought in Battle of Hastings; William won
Became King William I of England, known as William the Conqueror
William William stronger king than Anglo-Saxon rulers
Claimed all English land as personal property
Divided land into fiefs for his Norman soldiers; new nobility created, all owing loyalty to king
Strong King
The Norman Conquest
French CultureWilliam, Normans introduced elements of French culture into England
Most of Englands new nobles born in France, spoke French, practiced French customs
Most of lower classes kept old Anglo-Saxon language, habits
Domesday BookWilliam ordered survey taken to learn more about kingdom
Wanted to know who lived in each part of England, what they owned, how much they could afford to pay in taxes
Resulting in Domesday Book, used to create central tax system for England
Even more territories in France added when Henry married powerful French duchess, Eleanor of Aquitane
Together they ruled England, half of France
In theory, French holdings made English kings vassals of king of France
In practice, kings of England stronger than kings of France, ignored feudal obligations
More TerritoriesKings following William gained even more power as time passed
New power came from acquisition of new lands, many in France
Descendants inherited position as duke of Normandy; great-grandson Henry II also son of a French duke
Henry inherited fathers lands in France, which became part of England
More LandsThe English in France
By about 1200 the power of the English king started to worry some nobles. They feared kings would abuse their powers. Nobles concerned their rights would be taken away
1215, concerns reached crisis point under King John
John caught in war with France, lost almost all of Englands French holdings
Tried to raise money with new tax on nobility
Nobles refused tax, took up arms against king
Nobles ConcernsRebellious nobles forced John to accept document outlining their rights, Magna Carta
Restricted kings power; even kings not above the law
King had to obtain consent of nobles before raising taxes
Ended kings ability to arrest, punish people without cause or take property illegally
New RightsMagna Carta
Dissatisfaction Magna Carta addressed many concerns, but some nobles still not satisfied
King constantly asked for approval to raise taxes of which they disapproved
1260s, nobles began another rebellion to obtain say in how kingdom was run
PowersFor several years the powers of Parliament remained undefined
Edward I one of first kings to clarify role of Parliament, work effectively with governing body
Parliament As part of agreement to end rebellion, king agreed to meet with members of nobility, clergy, middle class to discuss key issues facing country
Resulting council developed into English governing body, Parliament
Parliament
Central Government Strengthened1295, Parliament summoned by Edward included nobles, clergy, representatives from every English county, townHad power to create new taxes, advise king on lawmaking, royal policy
Edward strengthened Englands central government, reformed system of laws
Saw Parliament as tool for strengthening monarchy, not limiting it; kept Parliament in secondary role to power of king
Summarize
How did Magna Carta and Parliament change the English monarchy?
Answer(s): reduced the king's power, formed a council (Parliament) that would create new taxes and advise the king on lawmaking
The changes in the English monarchy were unique. During the Middle Ages, kings in other European countries also worked to gain more power, but their experiences were different from those of he English rulers.After Charlemagne, kings of France did not rule much territory
Limited to area around Paris, Orleans
Rest in hands of powerful nobles
FranceMid-900s, one noble family rose to power when one member elected king
Hugh Capet, successors extended power throughout France
Capetians Sometimes Capetians fought local nobles for power
Other times created allegiances
By 1300, ruled almost all of modern France
Power Other European Monarchies
Empire SplitEmperor Charlemagne had unified most of western Europe into one empire
After his death, the empire split into two parts
Western part became France; eastern part became known as Germany
OttoWorked to unite German lands, conquered parts of northern Italy
962, aided Pope John XII, rewarded by being named Emperor of the Romans
Territories united under Otto became known as Holy Roman Empire
GermanyFrance remained somewhat unified under one king
Germany separated into several small states, each with own ruler, or duke
936, Otto the Great gained enough support to become king of the Germans
Holy Roman Empire
Holy Roman EmpireCalled holy because empire had popes support
Called Roman because Charlemagne had title Emperor of the Roman People
Emperors Elected1100s, Holy Roman emperors did not inherit position, were elected upon death of emperor
Group of electorsdukes, archbishopschose successor
Holy Roman EmperorsMade decisions, passed laws with help of dukes
Dukes maintained full authority on own lands
Crowned by PopePerson chosen by electors had to travel to Rome
Pope had to crown new emperor before his power fully recognized
Description of Empire
Growth of monarchy in Spain, Portugal coupled with religious struggles
Today the two countries share Iberian Peninsula, which had been conquered by Muslims in early 700s
Muslims, called Moors by Christians, built powerful state centered in city of Cordoba.
Christians ruled only few kingdoms in far northern part of peninsula
722, Christian rulers began to fight Moors, drive them out of Europe
Christian rulers continued westward push, little success until 1000s
Civil war had broken out in Muslim Spain, weakening Moorish leadership
Fighting MoorsChristian states began series of campaigns to retake Iberian Peninsula, called the Reconquista
1085, king of Castile won great victory over Moors, inspired rulers of two other Christian kingdoms to join in the Reconquista
Campaigns
Spain and Portugal
VictoriesTogether three Iberian kingdoms won victory after victory over Moors
Early 1100s, Portuguese drove Moors completely out of their lands, established Kingdom of Portugal
Modern SpainModern Spain has origins in late 1400s
Royal marriage between rulers of Aragon and Castile united two kingdoms
Combining countries and power, they ruled one of strongest countries in Europe
Pushing SouthRulers of Aragon and Castile continued to push south, captured Cordoba 1236
Christians pushed Moors almost all the way out of Spain within a few years
Moors not driven completely off Iberian Peninsula until 1492
Victory over Moors
Analyze
How did rulers in France, the Holy Roman Empire, and Spain gain power?
Answer(s): by acquiring new land and territories through alliances, marriage, and conquest
The Early Middle AgesSection 4