1. The Rise of Nation States: England and France
Ms. Carmelitano

2. The Rise of Nation States
By the 900’s CE Europe was split into small feudal states
After the fall of the Carolingian Empire
As the feudal system broke down, centralized government began to take shape in Europe
Constant warfare caused European monarchs to consolidate their power and create nation states in the late medieval period
A state whose citizens share a language or common descent.

4. Uniting England Vikings raided England throughout the 800’s CE
Germanic tribe in England: Anglo-Saxons
Alfred the Great: King CE
Protected Anglo-Saxons from the Vikings
United the kingdom, calling it England: “Land of the Angles”
Canute, a Danish King took the throne in CE
United Anglo-Saxons and Vikings into one people

5. Conquest King Edward the Confessor took the throne next
He died leaving no heir
A struggle for the throne ensued
William the Conqueror
Duke of Normandy– a province North of France
Viking descents, but French in culture and language
Claimed the English crown against Harold Godwinson
An Anglo-Saxon
October 14, 1066, Battle of Hastings
Harold was killed, William the Conqueror took the throne
Created a centralized government in England

7. Henry II Goals of English kings
1. Hold on to French lands
2. Strengthen power over the church and nobles
Henry II: ( CE) married Eleanor of Aquitaine from France to strengthen the alliance
Holding land in France made him a vassal to the French King
He was also a king in England

8. Henry’s Government Royal Courts of Justice Juries Common law
Royal judges collected taxes, settled lawsuits, punished crimes
Juries
Introduced juries to English courts
Group of 12 loyal neighbors of the accused who answered questions about facts of a case
Common law
Rulings made by England’s Royal Judges
(These became precedents for later laws)

9. Magna Carta
Henry’s son Richard the Lion Hearted took the throne, but was killed in the battle
Henry’s son John took the throne from CE
John Softsword – because of his weak military abilities
John lost all of the lands in Normandy to the French
Over-taxed his subjects
Alienated the church
June 15, 1215 CE – the subjects rebelled and forced John to sign the Magna Carta (Great Charter)
Written by English nobles
Guaranteed basic political rights and checked the power of the king
No taxation without representation, a jury trial, protection under the law

10. BREAK TIME

11. The model Parliament Edward I
Needed money to fight the French ,Welsh, and Scots
1295 CE summoned two wealthy citizens (burgesses) from every borough and two knights to serve as parliament
This became the Legislative group in England
November 1295 AD – knights, burgesses, bishops, lords met at Westminster in London – the Middle Parliament
Parliament was called when taxes were needed
Bicameral (two house) legislature
House of Commons:
Lower house made up of the commoners. Officials were voted in
House of Lords:
Upper house, made up of lords and bishops. Officials were royally appointed

12. France Counts and Dukes ruled independently during Feudalism
After the fall of the Charlemagne’s empire
In 1000 CE: France was 47 different territories
The Capet family
A French noble family
Hugh Capet – a duke who ruled Paris
He unified France under his rule
Capetian dynasty: French kings from 987 CE to 1328 CE

13. The Kingdom of France
For 300 years Capetian Kings strengthened the kingdom
Philip II: Ruled from 1180 to 1223 CE
Took Normandy from King John
France tripled in size under his reign

14. Kingdom of France Louis IX
Philip’s grandson
Created a French court of appeals
This court could overturn decisions of local courts
Strengthening the central government’s power
Philip IV (1285 CE-1314 CE) created the Estates- General
Quarreled with the Pope over power
Called council of advisors to discuss the Pope’s Powers (General Assembly) – this would become the Estate’s General:
Legislative body for France
First Estate: church leaders
Second Estate: lords
Third Estate: commoners

15. Beginnings of democracy
Parliament and the Estates General began to give commoners a voice in government
Magna Carta: protected the rights of the commoners
Juries, Common law, and Royal court systems: strengthened the power of the central government