V. Democracy in England: Reforms of the Middle Ages, 500 to 1500 A.D. ► Sometimes called the ‘Dark Ages,’ it was a time of political turmoil, violence, rampant disease, lost knowledge, and religious dominance.

A. William, duke of Normandy (France) in 1066, invaded England @ the ‘Battle of Hastings,’ claimed the U.K. throne. 1. This led to: a) The end of feudalism (political & economic system of Middle Ages). b) Start of a central gov’t in U.K. c) Start of democracy. William, The Duke of the Normans

1066 Norman Conquest of England and the The Bayeux Tapestry 1066 Norman Conquest of England and the Battle of Hastings, 1066. Embroidery on white linen, showing the strength of the Norman cavalry. The defeat of British King Harold changed Europe Forever.

The Norman "White Tower", of London, exemplifies all uses of a castle: city defense, a residence, and a place of refuge in times of crisis.

B. Henry II, one of William’s descendants (1154-1189). 1. Jury Trial – Greatest achievement. 2. U.K. unified under one legal system of “common law.”

a) ‘Common Law’ used precedents for new cases. b) Customs & principles. c) Basis of legal systems in many English speaking countries (including U.S).

King Henry II of England An early English illustration of trial by combat. King Henry II of England

The Crusades (1095 – 1293 AD) The Crusades were a series of military conflicts of a religious character waged by much of Christian Europe against external and internal threats. Crusades were fought mainly against Muslims (9 over 200 yrs. in the Middle East). Some campaigns were also directed against pagan Slavs, Jews, Russian and Greek Orthodox Christians, Mongols, and political enemies of the popes. Soldiers brought back medical, architectural, and literary knowledge – helping to end the Dark Ages. The Siege of Antioch, Turkey, from a medieval painting, during the 1st Crusade. Kingdom of Heaven, 2005

2. Led to a conflict between U.K. nobles & king. C. King John 1. Tried to ↑ taxes. 2. Led to a conflict between U.K. nobles & king. 3. 1215, angry nobles presented demands to King John, known as the “Magna Carta” (Great Charter). -- King John was unpopular due to fighting a costly and unsuccessful war with France.

D. Magna Carta (1215) 1. Contract between the king & nobles of U.K. 2. Limited the power of U.K. monarch. 3. Due Process of Law – people had right to jury trial & equal protections of the law. 4. Cornerstone of democratic gov’t.

King John and the ‘Magna Carta’

A bishop blesses victims of the Black Death. The Black Death (AKA Black Plague), a bacterial disease that spread among the malnourished populace like wildfire, killed as much as a third of the population in the mid-14th century, in some regions the toll was as high as one half of the population. Towns were especially hard-hit because of crowded & unsanitary conditions. A bishop blesses victims of the Black Death.

The Hundred Years' War was a conflict between France and England, lasting 116 years from 1337 to 1453. It was fought primarily over claims by the English kings to the French throne and was punctuated by several brief and two lengthy periods of peace before it finally ended in the expulsion of the English from France. Joan of Arc in a 15th century miniature.

ACTIVITY Groups of 2: Discuss reasons why the Magna Carta was important and how it influenced our current legal system. Be prepared for one person from your group to share with the class.