Political and Military Transformations Chapter:14

Monarchs, Nobles, and Clergy: Hereditary monarchs occupied the peak of the political pyramid, but their powers were limited by the modest treasuries and the rights possessed by others. The church, jealous of its traditional rights and independence, was another powerful body within each kingdom. 1200-Knights were still the backbone of Western European fighting forces, but 2 changes in weaponry were bringing their central military role into question. Crossbow Chinese firearm (Bulliet p.368) http://www.medieval-period.com/images/crossbow.jpg

Monarchs, Nobles, and Clergy: Great Western Schism (1378-1415) period when rival papal claimants at Avignon and Rome competed for the loyalties of Latin Christians. The papacy regained its independence after returning the residence to its original location in Rome, but the long crisis broke the pope’s ability to challenge the rising power of larger monarchies. King John (r. 1199-1216) 1213-King John acknowledged pope as his overlord 1215-forced to sign the Magna Carta. (Bulliet p.370) http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qTDAEasFLtU/RdJDxUdjGXI/AAAAAAAABQs/mP0TmgqXG2o/s400/King%2BJohn%2BSigning%2BMagna%2BCarta.jpg

The Hundred Years War: The Hundred Years War (1337-1453) is a key example of the transformation in politics and warfare. Princess Isabella of France married King Edward II of England (r. 1307–1327) to ensure that this powerful vassal remained loyal to the French monarchy. Since none of’ Isabella’s three brothers, who served in turn as kings of France, produced a male heir, Isabella’s son, King Edward III of England (r. 1327–137), took the throne. New military technology shaped the conflict. The English longbow, nearly annihilated the French force. To defend against these weapons, armor became heavier so the knights couldn’t move. (Bulliet p.371) http://www.aceros-de-hispania.com/image/armour-medieval908/armor-medieval908.jpg7

The Hundred Years War: Firearms became important in later stages of the Hundred Years War. Early cannon were better at spooking the horses than at hitting rapidly moving targets. As cannon grew larger, they proved quite effective in blasting holes through the heavy walls of medieval castles and towns. A young French peasant woman, Joan of Arc, brought the English gains to a halt. 1453-In the final battles of the Hundred Years War, French forces used large cannon to demolish the walls of once secure castles held by the English and their allies. (Bulliet p.371) http://www.clasohm.com/locations/bamberg/big/CoburgCanon.jpg

New Monarchies in France and England: The new monarchies that emerged differed from their medieval predecessors in having greater centralization of power, more fixed “national” boundaries, and stronger representative institutions. Smaller, more mobile cannon developed in the late fifteenth century blasted through their castle walls. More powerful hand-held firearms that could pierce even the heaviest armor. New armies depended less on knights and more on bowmen, pikemen, musketeers, and artillery units. (Bulliet p.371) http://www.esmondknight.org.uk/Agincourt%20-%20archers.jpgveloped

New Monarchies in France and England: For example, Charles VII of France (r. 1422–1461) won the right to impose a land tax on his vassals that enabled him to pay the costs of the last years of war with England. Taxes on merchants were another important revenue source. French merchant Jacques Coeur gained many social and financial benefits by lending money to important members of the French court, but he was accused of murder and he lost all his fortune The church was the third source. (Bulliet p.372) http://www.dl.ket.org/webmuseum/wm/paint/auth/fouquet/charles-vii.jpg

New Monarchies in France and England: English and French monarchs gained further control of church funds in the fifteenth century by gaining the right to appoint important officials in their realms. By 1500 Parliament had become a permanent part of English government: the House of Lords contained all the great nobles and English church officials; the House of Commons represented the towns and the leading citizens of the counties. In France a similar but less effective representative body, the Estates General, represented the church, the nobles, and the towns. (Bulliet p.372) http://www.londonphototours.com/images/DSCN9385.jpg

Iberian Unification: Spain and Portugal’s reconquest of Iberia from Muslim rule was also a religious crusade. The reconquest advanced in waves over several centuries. 1085-Christian knights took Toledo. 1147-The Atlantic port of Lisbon fell with the aid of English crusaders on their way to capture the Holy Land. It became the new capital of Portugal and the kingdom’s leading city, displacing the older capital of Oporto. (Bulliet p.372) http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/66/64566-004-F6EC93C1.gif

Iberian Unification: A Christian victory in 1212 broke the back of Muslim power in Iberia. 1236-Portuguese and Castilian forces captured Cordova 1248-Seville. 1415-Portuguese knights seized the port city of Ceuta in Morocco (Bulliet p.372) 1469-The marriage of Princess Isabella of Castile and Prince Ferdinand of Aragon in led to the permanent union of their kingdoms into Spain. http://womenshistory.about.com/library/graphics/isabella_and_columbus_400w.jpg

Iberian Unification: The year 1492 was also memorable because of Ferdinand and Isabella’s sponsorship of the voyage led by Christopher Columbus in search of the riches of the Indian Ocean. Three months after Granada’s fall, the monarchs ordered all Jews to be expelled from their kingdoms. 1499-1501:Efforts to force the remaining Muslims to convert or leave led to a Muslim revolt at the end of. 1493-Portugal also began expelling Jews including many thousands who had fled from Spain. (Bulliet p.373) http://www.sulgravemanor.org.uk/images/christopher_columbus.jpg

Multiple Choice Questions: In the year 1200, knights were still the backbone of Western European fighting forces, but what 2 changes in weaponry were bringing their central military role in to question? A. Canons and Horses B. Catapults and Swords C. Crossbows and Firearms D. Lances and Longbows E. Muskets and clubs

Multiple Choice Questions: Which King signed the Magna Carta? A. King John B. King Edward III C. King Charles VII D. King Ferdinand E. King Arthur

Multiple Choice Questions: In what year had Parliament become a permanent part of English government? A. 1085 B. 1461 C. 1492 D. 1500 E. 1216

Bibliography: Books: 1.Bulliet, Richard; The Earth and its Peoples. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2005 2.Monty, Armstrong; Princeton Review Book, New York,2010 3.McCannon, John; Barrons, Canada, 3rd edition