The Late Middle Ages

William the Conqueror• A. Cousin to the king of England– 1. He was the Duke of Normandy, meaning he was a

vassal to the King of France

• B. Dispute over who would be next in line for the throne when the king died.

C. Many nobles felt that William would stay loyal to France over England. -1. William felt he was next in line.

The Norman Conquest• D. William put together a large militia of 6,000

men and hundreds of ships• E. Invaded in 1066: Battle of Hastings• F. The whole story was recorded on the

Bayeaux Tapestry

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8OPQ_28mdo

William the Conqueror:Battle of Hastings, 1066

England After William• G. Redistributed noble lands in England

and gave it to his vassals• H. Set up a governing body called the

Great Council; would later become Parliament• I. Took a census to know how to collect

taxes–1. Recorded this in the Domesday Book

Political Evolution in England• J. William’s son, Henry I, created a

financial system that handled all of the royal finances: Exchequer• K. Henry II established the principle

of common law and the idea of a jury trial

Magna Carta, 1215 L. King John I, highly

corrupt M. “Great Charter” N. monarchs were not

above the law. O. kings had to consult a

council of advisors. P. kings could not tax

arbitrarily.

The Hundred Years’ War,1347-1453

• Q. Started over succession dispute to England’s throne.• R. England’s ruler tried to claim he

was ALSO king of France.• S. This all stemmed back to money;

the wool industry in certain parts of France

General Information• T. The War was a series of short raids

and expeditions punctuated by a few major battles, marked off by truces or ineffective treaties.

• U. The relative strengths of each country dictated the sporadic nature of the struggle.

Military Advantages

Britain• Advanced weapons– Longbow

• Engaged in profitable raids– Take what you can

and get out.• Avoided pitched

battles

France• More populous– In many battles,

twice as many French as there were English

• More money– More money equals

more resources to distribute.

Summary of the War• V. Britain has several early victories

that cause chaos in France• W. The French strike back with the

assistance of Joan of Arc• X. There isn’t a treaty or a truce, just

an end to the fighting• Y. France becomes unified

France in 1337 France in 1453

Study Questions

• 1. What was the meaning for the Hundred Years war?

• 2. Who created the idea of Trial by Jury?• 3. How was the Battle of Hastings recorded? • 4. Who was William the Conqueror’s son?