European Kingdoms During the Middle Ages

World History I

England in the Middle Ages• In 1066, William of Normandy arrived in England and

defeated the Anglo-Saxon king.– William became king of England.

• During this time, Anglo-Saxon and French cultures mixed into a new English culture.

– The English monarchy became more powerful under Henry II.• He expanded the power of the royal courts, making the king more

powerful

– English nobles did not like that the king was becoming so powerful.• Nobles rebelled, and King John was forced to sign a document of

rights called the Magna Carta.– The Magna Carta wrote that the king’s power was limited, not absolute.– In the 13th century, under Edward I, the English Parliament was created.

» Parliament was responsible for taxing and passing laws.

The French kingdom• The core of the eventual kingdom of France was

formed from part of the Carolingian dynasty.– After the final Carolingian king died, the Capetian dynasty

developed in France. • Capetian kings had very little power.• King Phillip II Augustus eventually rebelled against the rulers of

England, who controlled many French territories.– Under the rule of Louis IX and Phillip IV, the French monarchy became

stronger by expanding the royal bureaucracy.– Phillip IV also was instrumental in creating a French parliament.

» He met with the three estates (classes).• The 3 estates were clergy, nobles, and townspeople.• This meeting began the Estates-General, the first French

parliament.

• By 1300, France was the largest and best governed monarchial state in Europe.

The Holy Roman Empire• In the 10th century, the Saxons became kings of the eastern

Frankish kingdom.– In return for protecting the pope, Saxon king of Germany Otto I

was crowned Emperor of the Romans.– German King Frederick I wanted to conquer northern Italy in an

effort to bring in more revenue.• The pope opposed him because he thought that he wanted to conquer

Rome and the Papal states also.• The pope aligned with a group of northern Italian cities and they defeated

Frederick I in 1176.• Frederick II also unsuccessfully attempted to unite Italy.

– These battles between the popes and emperors hurt the Holy Roman Empire.• This made the German monarchy weak and incapable of governing a state.• In the end, Germany and Italy consisted of many small independent states.

– It would remain this way until the 19th century.

The Development of Russia• Eastern Slavic people inhabited modern Russia.– They were eventually overtaken by Swedish Vikings.

• The natives called the Vikings Rus, from which the name Russia is derived.

– Viking leader Oleg, settled the city of Kiev and created a principality of the same name.• The Vikings intermarried Slavic women and gradually the two

groups meshed together.– This early Russian state prospered in the 11th century, but came to an end

by 1169.

– In the 13th Century, the Mongols conquered Russia.• Under Alexander Nevsky, the Russian army defeated an army of

Germans in 1242.– Nevsky was awarded title of grand prince by the khan.

» Nevsky’s descendants eventually became the leader of all of Russia.

Overview• During the Middle Ages, monarchs were able to

create strong states throughout Europe.– Many modern day European countries began to develop

during this time.• England prospered under kings, but the Magna Carta limited

their power and led to the creation of parliament.• France became the biggest and best governed state in Europe.• The downfall of the Holy Roman Empire left Germany and Italy

as areas comprised of many small states.• The Kievan Empire laid the foundation for what would become

Russia.