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PreviewMain Idea / Reading Focus

The English Monarchy

Faces of History: Eleanor of Aquitaine

Other European Monarchies

Map: The Holy Roman Empire

The Growth of Monarchies

Reading FocusHow did the power of the English monarchy grow and change?

How did kings increase their powers in the other monarchies of Europe?

Main IdeaThe power of kings grew and the nature of monarchy changed across Europe in the early Middle Ages.The Growth of Monarchies

Alfred drove the Viking forces north of London to what became the Danelaw, a territory under Viking control.England was one of the first countries in Europe to develop a strong central monarchy. Under the Anglo-Saxons, who first unified the country, and then under the Normans, who conquered the Anglo-Saxons, the English kings exercised considerable power.Anglo-Saxon rulers descendants of Angles, Saxons who invaded in 400s

For most of period, England divided into seven small kingdoms

Each had own laws, customs

Anglo-Saxon EnglandThe English Monarchy800s, Danish Vikings invaded, conquered several Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, not all of England

878, Viking campaign cut short by Alfred the Great, king of Wessex in southern England

Danish Vikings

Alfreds descendants ruled England for most of next two centuries

1066, king died without heir; two men claimed throne: Harold, Anglo-Saxon nobleman from England; William, duke of Normandy in France

Supported by English nobility, Harold named new king

William decided to take crown by force; gathered army, sailed for England where Harold met him

Two armies fought in Battle of Hastings; William won

Became King William I of England, known as William the Conqueror

William William stronger king than Anglo-Saxon rulers

Claimed all English land as personal property

Divided land into fiefs for his Norman soldiers; new nobility created, all owing loyalty to king

Strong King

The Norman Conquest

French CultureWilliam, Normans introduced elements of French culture into England

Most of Englands new nobles born in France, spoke French, practiced French customs

Most of lower classes kept old Anglo-Saxon language, habits

Domesday BookWilliam ordered survey taken to learn more about kingdom

Wanted to know who lived in each part of England, what they owned, how much they could afford to pay in taxes

Resulting in Domesday Book, used to create central tax system for England

Even more territories in France added when Henry married powerful French duchess, Eleanor of Aquitane

Together they ruled England, half of France

In theory, French holdings made English kings vassals of king of France

In practice, kings of England stronger than kings of France, ignored feudal obligations

More TerritoriesKings following William gained even more power as time passed

New power came from acquisition of new lands, many in France

Descendants inherited position as duke of Normandy; great-grandson Henry II also son of a French duke

Henry inherited fathers lands in France, which became part of England

More LandsThe English in France

By about 1200 the power of the English king started to worry some nobles. They feared kings would abuse their powers. Nobles concerned their rights would be taken away

1215, concerns reached crisis point under King John

John caught in war with France, lost almost all of Englands French holdings

Tried to raise money with new tax on nobility

Nobles refused tax, took up arms against king

Nobles ConcernsRebellious nobles forced John to accept document outlining their rights, Magna Carta

Restricted kings power; even kings not above the law

King had to obtain consent of nobles before raising taxes

Ended kings ability to arrest, punish people without cause or take property illegally

New RightsMagna Carta

Dissatisfaction Magna Carta addressed many concerns, but some nobles still not satisfied

King constantly asked for approval to raise taxes of which they disapproved

1260s, nobles began another rebellion to obtain say in how kingdom was run

PowersFor several years the powers of Parliament remained undefined

Edward I one of first kings to clarify role of Parliament, work effectively with governing body

Parliament As part of agreement to end rebellion, king agreed to meet with members of nobility, clergy, middle class to discuss key issues facing country

Resulting council developed into English governing body, Parliament

Parliament

Central Government Strengthened1295, Parliament summoned by Edward included nobles, clergy, representatives from every English county, townHad power to create new taxes, advise king on lawmaking, royal policy

Edward strengthened Englands central government, reformed system of laws

Saw Parliament as tool for strengthening monarchy, not limiting it; kept Parliament in secondary role to power of king

Summarize

How did Magna Carta and Parliament change the English monarchy?

Answer(s): reduced the king's power, formed a council (Parliament) that would create new taxes and advise the king on lawmaking

The changes in the English monarchy were unique. During the Middle Ages, kings in other European countries also worked to gain more power, but their experiences were different from those of he English rulers.After Charlemagne, kings of France did not rule much territory

Limited to area around Paris, Orleans

Rest in hands of powerful nobles

FranceMid-900s, one noble family rose to power when one member elected king

Hugh Capet, successors extended power throughout France

Capetians Sometimes Capetians fought local nobles for power

Other times created allegiances

By 1300, ruled almost all of modern France

Power Other European Monarchies

Empire SplitEmperor Charlemagne had unified most of western Europe into one empire

After his death, the empire split into two parts

Western part became France; eastern part became known as Germany

OttoWorked to unite German lands, conquered parts of northern Italy

962, aided Pope John XII, rewarded by being named Emperor of the Romans

Territories united under Otto became known as Holy Roman Empire

GermanyFrance remained somewhat unified under one king

Germany separated into several small states, each with own ruler, or duke

936, Otto the Great gained enough support to become king of the Germans

Holy Roman Empire

Holy Roman EmpireCalled holy because empire had popes support

Called Roman because Charlemagne had title Emperor of the Roman People

Emperors Elected1100s, Holy Roman emperors did not inherit position, were elected upon death of emperor

Group of electorsdukes, archbishopschose successor

Holy Roman EmperorsMade decisions, passed laws with help of dukes

Dukes maintained full authority on own lands

Crowned by PopePerson chosen by electors had to travel to Rome

Pope had to crown new emperor before his power fully recognized

Description of Empire

Growth of monarchy in Spain, Portugal coupled with religious struggles

Today the two countries share Iberian Peninsula, which had been conquered by Muslims in early 700s

Muslims, called Moors by Christians, built powerful state centered in city of Cordoba.

Christians ruled only few kingdoms in far northern part of peninsula

722, Christian rulers began to fight Moors, drive them out of Europe

Christian rulers continued westward push, little success until 1000s

Civil war had broken out in Muslim Spain, weakening Moorish leadership

Fighting MoorsChristian states began series of campaigns to retake Iberian Peninsula, called the Reconquista

1085, king of Castile won great victory over Moors, inspired rulers of two other Christian kingdoms to join in the Reconquista

Campaigns

Spain and Portugal

VictoriesTogether three Iberian kingdoms won victory after victory over Moors

Early 1100s, Portuguese drove Moors completely out of their lands, established Kingdom of Portugal

Modern SpainModern Spain has origins in late 1400s

Royal marriage between rulers of Aragon and Castile united two kingdoms

Combining countries and power, they ruled one of strongest countries in Europe

Pushing SouthRulers of Aragon and Castile continued to push south, captured Cordoba 1236

Christians pushed Moors almost all the way out of Spain within a few years

Moors not driven completely off Iberian Peninsula until 1492

Victory over Moors

Analyze

How did rulers in France, the Holy Roman Empire, and Spain gain power?

Answer(s): by acquiring new land and territories through alliances, marriage, and conquest

The Early Middle AgesSection 4