During the later part of the Middle Ages, European monarchs began unifying people under a common heritage and eventually formed nation-states (countries) like England, France, Spain and Russia). What would cause the shift from small, isolated feudal societies to large, unified countries?

England

why and when did england become a country? William of Normandy (called William the Conqueror), who already controlled northern France, invaded and conquered England in 1066 C.E., with the decisive victory at the Battle of Hastings. Old French became language of power, commerce, and religion in England End of Old English (looks/sounds very German; the language of Beowulf) French merged with Old English to produce Middle English, the language of Chaucer—close enough to modern English that we can recognize it.

Domesday Book commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1087: How did William the Conqueror unify england? Domesday Book commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1087: IMPORTANCE: Census, land register, and income record to create a tax roll Can learn a lot about commerce, absolutely everything that everyone owned Learn a lot about common names and daily life FACTS: According to the Domesday Book, slavery was fairly commonplace. Lists 10% of England’s people as slaves. Germanic tribes also enslaved Slavic neighbors (thus the word slavery). Africans were sold across the Islamic world. Can see original copy in the British Library (a museum of manuscripts)

Stage 1 All Norman lords who had been given land by King William were asked to gather details about their lands. This information was sent to King William’s advisors. Stage 2 King William then sent groups of officials to most parts of England to check the details that the Norman lords had sent in. They were also told to get even more information. Stage 3 When they had finished questioning a village, the officials sent their findings to King William’s advisors. The findings may have been given to King William in August 1086. Stage 4 All findings were written up into the two volumes of Domesday Book. Great Domesday was written by one scribe and checked by a second. They were told exactly what important details to include. They had to try and make sure that the same type of information was recorded for each place. Little Domesday was probably written first and it is the work of at least six scribes. Ho

Henry II & Common Law ”the English Justinian" I am the great grandson of William the Conqueror Developed by Henry II to centralize English government and used since 1189. Judges traveled the country judging decisions based on local customs Judges shared decisions with other judges to make rulings “in common” with each other

King John signed the Magna Carta, limiting the king’s power. I am the son of Henry II Magna Carta (Great Charter) - 1215 English nobles revolted against King John’s rule Weakened the King’s power Guaranteed certain basic rights: No taxation without representation Trial by jury Protection under law Why would the King sign this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xo4tUMdAMw

The formation of parliament I am the grandson of King John The formation of parliament Parliament (law-making body of England) is formed in 1295 by King Edward Legislative body to speak for the people Called citizens, knights, bishops, and lords to serve Called any time a new tax was needed Divided into The House of Lords and The House of Commons

France

The Rise of france as a unified country After Charlemagne died, Frankish kings were very weak; nobles in France ruled as if there was no king In 987 Hugh Capet took French throne from a weak king; strengthened French monarchy Freed peasants from feudal lords; people became loyal to king not lords Created Estates-General—group of nobles, church members, peasants to help raise taxes But, Estates-General never became as powerful in France as Parliament was in England…so… The French king grew more powerful than the English king (who was limited by Parliament)

Conflict between england and france: the Hundred Years’ War War between England and France over control of the French throne The English invade France 1337 – 1453 Joan of Arc (a unifying factor) New technology (longbow and canon) The end of Feudalism Knights/Cavalry not as important Castles become obsolete France eventually wins and the victory helps to define France as a nation. Rise of nationalism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWR7zMR-EiA

Spain

The unification of Spain The Islamic Empire controlled most of Spain since 750 BUT, Christians began to retake Spain around time of Crusades (known as Reconquista) By late 1400s, the Reconquista was successful; Spain was ruled by exclusively by Christian kings But Spain was divided into feudal territories— it was not unified Spain was united when Isabella of Castile married Ferdinand of Aragon in 1469 Began Spanish Inquisition—used trials, torture, imprisonment to rid Spain of all Jews & Muslims (“one king, one law, one faith”) Spanish Empire in the Western Hemisphere expanded under Charles V.

Russia

The unification of russia During 1200s, the Mongols invaded & ruled over all of Russia (& Asia and China, too!) But, in 1480 Ivan III refused to pay the Mongols tribute (taxes) & broke Russia free from Mongol control Ivan III became czar (Slavic word for king) & made Moscow capital of new empire Power was centralized in the hands of the tsar. • The Orthodox Church influenced unification.