European Kingdoms  Essential Question: How did legal systems in Europe change after the 11th century?

England in the Middle Ages In October of 1066, an army of knights led by William of Normandy (in France) landed in England. They defeated King Harold of England at the Battle of Hastings and William took control of England.  This is known as the Norman Conquest and earned him the title "William the Conqueror."  He gave land in England to his loyal knights and made them lords. They took over rule of England. 

Norman Rule of England The Normans took over existing institutions, meaning they used sheriffs and tax collectors the same as before the conquest.  William took the first census of English people since the Roman times. It was called the Domesday Book.  This book counted all people, manors, and farm animals. It was used to tax England and organize the royal court. 

Germany in the Middle Ages In the 10th Century, the Saxons ruled Germany.  The Otto I spread Christianity throughout his kingdom and in return for protecting the pope, was named "Emperor of the Romans" in 962.  His successor, Frederick I viewed Italy as the center of the "holy empire" of Rome and lost many German lives reconquering it.  The power balance between the Emperor and the Pope in the "Holy Roman Empire" continued to be a bitter struggle for many centuries. 

Umayyad Rule of Spain After the conquest Spain in 725, it became a Muslim province and a part of their Empire for hundreds of years.  During that time, non-Muslims could continue practicing their religion.  Courts were created and the province of "Al- Andalus" was even allowed to govern itself.  They also influenced architecture building the Alhambra palace and the Granda stronghold. 

Reconquista From the beginning of the Muslim rule there were areas of Christian resistance By 929AD the Iberian Peninsula had split between Christian kingdoms in the North and Muslim kingdoms in the South.  Battles continued for 500 years until the Muslims were finally defeated in the 15th century.