National Monarchies
• 200 years in the making-it was the rise of towns and the new middle class of the 1100’s that set the process in motion and prepared the foundation for the modern, political world
• European elites, whether nobles or burghers, grudgingly gave allegiance to ambitious monarchs- a single, strong ruler seemed the only alternative to the brutal pattern of war and civil strife so common during the era of feudalism
The “tools” of the new monarchies…
• Use of vernacular languages• Creation of a standing army• A system of tax collection to par for the army
and its ability to wage war -the two were inseparable
• Subjecting the church to its secular power• Marriage to reassert royal lands• Extending Royal justice• Promoting the interests of the new “middle class”
Philip Augustusr 1180-1223
• Solidified France by gradually establishing control over the Dukes and Counts of his land
• Defeated King John of England who held more territory as a feudal lord in France that King Philip did.
Louis IXr 1226-1270
• “Saint Louis”• Issued laws for
his entire realm• Prohibited private
warfare among his nobles
The Italian states
• The various Italian states never developed a national monarchy during this time…
• Dukes ruled in Venice, Genoa and Pisa
• After 1125, Normans (Vikings) controlled Naples and Sicily
• These states played a major role in the sea trade that connected the Byzantine and Arab world with Europe
Holy Roman Empire; Otto the Great, r 936-973
• 955 defeated the Magyars
• Established forts along the Slavic border
• 962 crowned Holy Roman Emperor
• Initiated the Ottonian Renaissance
William of Normandy aka William the Bastard
aka William the Conquerorr 1066-1087
• Salisbury Oath• Domesday Book
King Johnr 1199-1216
• Fought a costly and losing war against King Louis-Philippe
• Coerced his vassals to giving him more and more revenues
• Punished vassals without a trial by Jury