Big Advances In Democracy

In the year 800, Charlemagne, King of the Franks (the territory that would become France and Germany) went to pledge his support to Pope Leo III, who was barely holding onto power in what remained of the Roman Empire.

When he arrived at St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Day in 800 he prayed before the tomb of the Apostle Peter. As he arose from prayer Pope Leo III placed a golden crown upon his head. Though some in the crowd thought this signified the rebirth of the Roman Empire, in reality this important moment marked the beginning of the rule of European kings by divine right and the beginning of the Middle Ages (or Medieval Europe)

This moment occurred due to the confluence of three major elements: the legacy of Rome, the Christian traditions of the Germanic people who had settled the Western Roman Empire, and the Christian Church. For the next 700 years, until around 1500, the European world transitioned from the ancient world of the Greeks and Romans to the Modern Europe of the Renaissance.

During his rule Charlemagne created a powerful empire centered around his newly established divine right to rule.

Norwich Cathedral, England, 1300s During his rule Charlemagne created a powerful empire centered around his newly established divine right to rule. This established the Catholic Church, in the eyes of Medieval Europeans, as the all-embracing and all-powerful institution in their lives. Norwich Cathedral, England, 1300s

During his rule Charlemagne created a powerful empire centered around his newly established divine right to rule. This established the Catholic Church, in the eyes of Medieval Europeans, as the all-embracing and all-powerful institution in their lives. During the following years kings began to expand their powers and, as they did so, began to fight the pope for control over their empires. During that process one of those kingdoms, England, laid the groundwork for political thought and practice in the Modern European World.

266 years after Charlemagne… King William of Normandy (a region in modern France) invaded, and conquered, England. He was crowned King William I of England around Christmas of 1066. He then made the nobility swear oaths of loyalty to him as their sole ruler and insisted that all subjects owed loyalty to him as king.

100 years after William the Conqueror, between 1154-1189… King Henry II greatly enlarged the power and size of the Kingdom of England. As he expanded the power of his kingdom he also strengthened royal courts and took away the strength of feudal lords and courts. This had two results: it expanded the power of the monarchy it established common law, a code of law which was universal in England The grave of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine

King Henry II establishes COMMON LAW

Like Henry II, many of the English kings who ruled in the 1100s attempted to expand their power. This was exceptionally frustrating to the nobles who had become accustomed to holding a great deal of power.

In the early 1200s King John came into power, however he was seen by the nobles as weak, primarily because of military defeats. Meanwhile, Pope Innocent III was also frustrated with John because he had appointed an Archbishop of Canterbury without his approval. John was excommunicated, which created substantial political conflict. John ended up giving up significant territory in order to gain readmission to the church.

Frustrated with his military failures, the conflict with the church, and the loss of territory, the nobles began to rebel against his rule in 1215 and forced him to agree to the Magna Carta (“Great Charter”), a document which guaranteed certain rights to the nobles. Over time, this concept of a limited monarchy was expanded to guarantee certain rights to commoners as well as the nobility, including the concept of trial by jury, due process of law, and various other legal and property rights.

King John signs the MAGNA CARTA

In 1295, 80 years after the Magna Carta was signed, King Edward I was struggling to pay for fighting which was taking place against an ongoing rebellion in Wales which had turned into an open revolution. As tradition dictated, he consulted with his nobles, bishops, and other officials. They suggested that he turn to the local lords to help fund his wars, something which had been common since the Magna Carta. He did so, and they agreed to send two knights from every county and two commoners from every town to a meeting to discuss the issue of new taxes. This became the first meeting of the English Parliament. Over time, Parliament established law making power through political conflict and war and developed two houses: a House of Lords for nobles and church officials and a House of Commons for knights and commoners.

Edward I recognizes the first English PARLIAMENT

Tonight you will read about the next major step in the rise of democracy in England: The Glorious Revolution. Tomorrow you will have an open note quiz on the subject, as is explained on the handout.

The power of the monarch is limited in the GLORIOUS REVOLUTION

And…finally:

A bunch of English colonists attempt a radical new experiment in democracy during the AMERICAN REVOLUTION