What does this tell you about Medieval Europe?

What does this tell you about Medieval Europe?

What does this tell you about Medieval Europe?

What does this tell you about Medieval Europe?

Big Three Politics: England, France, and The HRE

Thesis: Due to the evolution of different political systems and values in England; France; and The Holy Roman Empire (Germany), coupled with the growing greed and disparity found within a rigid hierarchical system, a series of long catastrophic events helped accelerate and eventually brought down the political, cultural, and religious systems of Medieval Europe.

England after William Henry I beats both of them—Robert at the Battle of Tinchebrai; William is assassinated - unites England & France Starts to establish central and judicial power used today Brought French customs and feudal system w/him Language: English is out, French is in Establishes dynasty (Norman) Domesday Book – systematic organization; supposed to last until the end of the world Gives Normandy to oldest son, England to middle son, and $$ to youngest son, Henry

Henry II (1154-1189) After The Anarchy, Henry II, greatgrandson of William the Conqueror, takes the throne Quintessential high medieval king, marries quintessential high medieval queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine (France) Begins Plantagenet dynasty

Henry II (1154-1189) Started juries, common law, and seeds of what would become Parliament Strengthened courts by sending royal judges out to collect taxes, punish crimes Got rid of personal, manorial courts and papal courts so that only royal courts could have trials standardizes justice and separates church and state Most remembered for fight with Archbishop Thomas Beckett

Common Law THIS IS NOT THE IDEA THAT THERE ARE THE SAME LAWS THROUGHOUT THE LAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rather a version of who makes the laws: Centuries of court decisions in England When added up, this becomes a body of laws known as common law Basis of law in United States, Canada, Zimbabwe, India, Australia, etc. other former English colonies (about ¼ of the world)

Early Plantagenets–Richard I & John Plantagenets (begun by Henry II) lasts to1453 longest English dynasty Henry II succeeded by Richard the Lionhearted who goes on crusade, a lot He dies heirless, his brother John becomes King: Starts war with France for no real reason—annoys nobles Loses most of it by the end—annoys nobles Tries to oppose a papal appointment Pope places Interdict on England—annoys nobles Eventually becomes a vassal of the Pope—annoys nobles Taxed nobles without their consent—annoys nobles Tries to conscript and control peasants and serfs—annoys nobles (and peasants)

Magna Carta England was (and still is)most free country Europe—first to curtail King’s power in Magna Carta Nobles force John to sign a document (Great Charter) – Runnymede 1215 Limited power of the king Guaranteed many rights—for nobles No taxation without representation Right to a jury trial Protection under the law for all citizens Four left today: Lincoln, Salisbury, British Library, US National Archives First basis civil rights in Britain and then US Start idea of Bill of Rights Same rights that US founding fathers fought for

Edward I (1239-1307) & Parliament Edward I (Longshanks) conquers Wales, most of Scotland (for a bit), Ireland, and wins back the majority of Western France To fight these wars he needs money; trying to follow the Magna Carta he calls a group of people asking them to make a law of taxation: Two knights and two wealthy citizens from every county in England, as well as nobles and bishopsbecomes House of Commons and House of Lords Met at Westminster in London, 1295 Functions very well—shares power Only to have his incompetent son and grandson blow it all…

France & Holy Roman Empire In HRE, Charlemagne leads Carolingian Renaissance: money, miniscule, and Latin comeback. Scholasticism, arts, and piety imp. With death, empire splits, eventually forming two main categories: The Holy Roman Empire, and France Both become beacons of the feudal system Both remain close to Pope and vie for his favor

Holy Roman Empire HRE leader “elected” for next 800 years Loose confederation of states from the Baltic to Italy, but central monarch has limited power Close to Pope & often fighting Pope wins: Henry IV and Gregory at Canossa King wins: Frederick I and taxes No separation of Church & State – church administrates state End of Middle Ages: Hapsburg’s appear

France French crown hereditary, Hugh Capet and descendants hold throne until 1792. Capetian kings strengthen grip Phillip II (1180-1223) is most notable: wins back most of English lands from John of England; starts rigid admin system His grandson Phillip IV founded Estates-General (3 Estates: Noble, Clergy, Wealthy Commoners) all members appointed Strengthen Monarch and Administration No personal rights, little separation of Church and State

Hundred years war background Like many medieval problems it begins with Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine… Normans and Anjous (devil spawn) marry, creating Plantagenets and a whole lot of inbreeding By the end, Philip IV (France) was actually the grandfather of Edward III (England) Philip dies, no heir Edward claims French throne, launches war to get it in 1337 War lasted over 100 years – 1337 until 1453 (Ed III and several other English and French kings were dead by then)

Green shows land held by French in each phase Years shown: TL: 1337 TR: 1360 BL: 1429 BR: 1453

Hundred Years War Key changes in warfare Chivalry practiced, supposedly Crossbow and Longbow introduced by English Arrows from longbows were strong enough to pierce armor Led to serious beat downs by the English Most of English side of war fought and won under Henry V (1386-1422) Usually considered model late middle ages king—got on with nobles, church also chivalrous and educated Reckless youth then came of age, cleaned up England made it powerful Amazing general Died early (infection from battle) English slaughtered the French at Crecy, Poitiers, and Agincourt…

Battle of Agincourt - 1415 Outnumbered English (6,000) army led by Henry V crushes French (25,000) because of better technology – mainly archers Victory so inevitable (to the French) they were throwing dice for the spoils the night before Henry motivates men to victory, and French choose a very crummy spot to fight 200 English die; 7,000 French die Henry executes French nobles who surrender (not very chivalrous) One of the most famous battles in English history Begins Anglo-American “underdog mentality”

Joan of Arc Agincourt continues series of French losses, and at first the war starts to end w/a truce saying Henry V is King of France when the French King dies But Henry dies first and French renege. This goes badly until… Peasant girl named Jeanne D’Arc claims to have had visions from God telling her to save France from the English She becomes their military leader! Leads the French army at Orleans – age 19 Almost loses, but at the last minute she leads a charge and defeats the English Charles VII, the true heir to the French throne, goes with her to Reims (Cathedral) and is crowned King of France BUT….

Joan of Arc She gets captured and turned over to the English in 1430 English give her to “church authorities” to stand trial They condemn her as a witch Burned at the stake in 1431… … & French do nothing to stop it

Impact of Hundred Years War Nationalism in England and France French monarchy becomes stronger and stronger No longer a feudal lord, but a national leader Plunges England into civil war: War of the Roses over which royal family would rule End of the middle ages