Decline of Feudalism

People continued to live on land controlled by nobles, more and more

were moving to town.

Towns began to dominate the land

Why did towns start forming?

1. Europe was growing

2. The growth of trade

3. They were places of opportunity

• Nobles often owned the towns or controlled the land they were on

• He would give a town charter

– A legal document that listed the privileges of the townspeople

– They still paid taxes to the lord

– Allowed to govern themselves

Development of Strong Monarchies

ENGLAND

• England was conquered by William the Conqueror in 1066

• He established the royal dynasty the Normans

• His grandson Henry II strengthened this dynasty

William the Conqueror

Henry II

FRANCE

• Hugh Capet founded a new royal line in France called the Capetians

• Phillip II seized much of the English land for France

• Phillip II also started using bailiffs who went and collected taxes for the crown

• The Capetians were successful because each ruler was able to pass the crown down to a son

Hugh Capet

Phillip II

English Legal Practices

• Today’s trial by jury came from medieval Europe

– In medieval England the jury provided the evidence and the judge would determine if guilty

– In America, the jury hears the evidence and decides if guilty

• Henry II set up common law which was uniform laws for all of England

• England set limits on the power of the king

• The document is called the Magna Carta, which means “Great Charter”

• During Edward I Parliament was set up– Started out as advisors to the king

– House of Lords were the nobles

– House of Commons were the knights and leading citizens

– Parliament later could approve new taxes this power was called “power of the purse”

King John signing the

Magna Carta

Edward I