Quaestio: How did the power of Monarchs fluctuate in Medieval England? Nunc Agenda: Finish group “presentations” from yesterday…
Feb 16, 2016
Quaestio: How did the power of
Monarchs fluctuate in Medieval England?
Nunc Agenda: Finish group
“presentations” from yesterday…
Balance of Power Three groups competing for power during Middle
Ages: Monarchs Nobles The
Church
All three had their own courts, armies, and tax collectors
High Middle Ages (1000-1300): Monarchs centralize power
Townspeople supported strong Monarchies because they provided better conditions for trade (Why?)
British Isles
William the Conqueror By the Middle Ages, “England” was
invaded and settled by Angles, Saxons, and Vikings
1066- Anglo-Saxon King Edward died with no heir, brother-in law chosen as new king
William, Duke of Normandy (in Northern France) and relative of King Edward, invaded England and became the new King
Known as William the Conqueror Cultural diffusion between
Normans and Anglo-Saxons
Norman Invasion 1066
English Kings Grow Strong
William expanded royal power by Requiring every vassal to swear
allegiance to him before their Lord Keeping many lands for himself alone Domesday Book (1086) - Complete
census of England used to create an efficient tax system
1154- King Henry II established the foundations of English common law- legal system based on custom and
decisions of the royal court (applied to all England)
Henry challenged the church by claiming the right to try clergy in court, had Archbishop of Canterbury killed by his knights for opposing him
REMINDERBalance of Power
Three groups competing for power during Middle Ages: Monarchs Nobles The
Church
Limits on Royal Power
King John (son of Henry II) had three enemies and he lost to all of them: King Philip of France (Monarch)-
Beat John in war and took over the English-controlled lands of Normandy & Anjou (today in France)
Pope Innocent III (Church)- Excommunicated John for disagreeing with his choice for archbishop AND placed England under interdict until John accepted England as a fief of the Pope
His own Barons (Nobles)- Forced John to sign the Magna Carta or “Great Charter” which limited the king’s power and gave rights to the nobles (and people in general)
John
Page246
Use your textbook (pages 248-249) to answer the following questions: The Magna Carta established basic rights that have lived until today. In your own words and complete sentences, explain the following two rights and why they are important:
Due Process of LawHabeas Corpus
Summarize: How did Parliament develop and what was its purpose?
PensaTwo Paragraphs on Royal Power Using your notes, and if necessary, your textbook (pages 244-247), write two paragraphs discussing changes in Royal power in Medieval England. The first paragraph should explain at least two ways in which royal power increased. The second paragraph should explain at least two ways in which royal power was limited.