England & France Develop

The growth of towns and villages and the break up of the feudal system led to a more centralized government. This paved the way for nations to develop England and France were the earliest nations to form with a strong unified government.

England Many different groups invading Europe landed on the shores of England. In 1016, King Canute conquered England and brought the groups of people together as one. In 1066, William the Conqueror of Normandy, took over England and claimed the crown.

Battle of Hastings: The Normans win! October 14, 1066: The Normans and the Anglo-Saxons fought a battle that changed the course of English History Battle of Hastings: The Normans win! William declares all of England his personal property Unifies and controls lands Lays the ground for centralized government in England

England: Henry II English kings has 2 goals Hold and add to their French lands Strengthen their power over the Nobles & the Church Henry II marries Eleanor of Aquitaine of France and adds to the English properties Henry now has loyalty to the French King, but he was also a king…..

Henry II Cont’d Ruled England from 1154-1189 Strengthened royal courts of justice Introduced use of a jury in English courts Over time create a unified body of law called common law

The Magna Carta Richard the Lion-Hearted succeeded Henry II. He died, and his brother John takes over John rules from 1199-1216 Failed as a military leader (John Softsword) Lost Normandy and all the lands in northern France He mistreated subjects, tried to get money out of them Alienated the Church Threatened to take away self-government Raised taxes

Magna Carta Cont’d (Great Charter) The Nobles revolted and forced John to agree to a document called the Magna Carta Drawn up by English nobles Guaranteed certain basic political rights No taxation without representation Right to a jury trial Right to the protection of the law

The Model Parliament Edward the I Needed to raise taxes for a war 1295: summons 2 representatives from each borough, and 2 knights from every county to serve as a parliament (legislative group) Called Model Parliament because the new idea of including commoners and lords served as a model for later kings

France Kings looking for ways to increase their power 1000: France divided into about 47 feudal territories 987: last member of the Carolingian family died Hugh Capet succeeded him Family only ruled a small territory, but Paris was at the heart of this territory Hugh Capet began the Capetian dynasty of French kings that ruled from 987 to 1328.

Philip II One of the most powerful Capetians Ruled from 1180-1223 Goal: weaken the power of English kings in France Seized Normandy from King John in 1204 By he end of his reign he has tripled the lands under his control Becomes more powerful than his nobles Wanted stronger Central government

Louis IX Philip’s grandson, rules from 1226-1270 Pious & saintly Created French appeals court Strengthened monarchy while weakening feudal ties

Philip IV 1285-1314 Fought with pope over taxes and control Includes commoners in meetings with his lords and bishops to gain more support against the pope

Estates General First Estate: church leaders Second Estate: great lords Third Estate: commoners, wealthy land owners, merchants Helped increase royal power over the nobles Did not limit the kings power

Beginnings of Democracy Centralized government governing widespread lands Common law Court systems Including commoners in government decision making