Political Developments in Middle Ages

1. Political Developments of the Middle Ages

2.  Goal 7 – Political Development in the Holy Roman Empire, England, and
France
 The student will trace the political developments of the Holy Roman
Empire, England and France in medieval Europe.
 7.05  Evaluate the reigns of the Anglo-Norman kings of England including William I, William II, and
Henry I.
 7.06 Assess the political achievements and developments of the reigns of the Plantagenet kings
including but not limited to Henry II, Richard I, John, and Edward I.
 7.07 Judge the influence of the Magna Carta and the English Parliament on later forms of
representative government.
 7.08 Trace the events of the Hundred Years’ War and Wars of the Roses.
 7.09  Judge the effects of the Hundred Years’ War and Wars of the Roses on later cultural and
political developments in medieval England and France
 7.10  Assess the political achievements and developments of the Capetian dynasty in medieval
France.
 Goal 8 – Nation-Building on the Periphery of Europe
 The student will trace the political developments of the nations of
Spain, Portugal, the Swiss Confederation, Russia, and Eastern Europe.
 8.01 Describe the political developments of medieval Spain and assess its cultural distinctiveness
from medieval Europe.
 8.02 Survey the political developments of medieval Portugal.
Content Goals and Objectives:

3. Hugh Capet (938–996)
Philip II (1180–1222)
Philip IV (1285–1314)
Most powerful kingdom in
Europe by the 14th century
France
Hugh Capet

4. Beginning in the 8th century, foundations were laid for many modern
European nations. Although the borders would stay fluid for many coming
centuries, the political basis for countries like France, England, and Spain
began to appear.
In 987, the Capetian dynasty assumed French rule under Hugh
Capet. At the time, France was a collection of semi-independent states
that included Normandy, Flanders, Anjou, and Aquitaine.
Later, Philip II managed to bring several feudal territories claimed by
England under French control.
His military successes also enabled him to gain more authority over the
nobility. By the reign of Philip IV (1285–1314), France had become the
most powerful state in Europe.
France continued

5. England
1066: Norman Invasion
William the Conqueror (1027–
1087)
 Brought feudalism to England
Henry II (1154–1189)
 Instituted a single common
law code, unified court system
William the Conqueror

6. In 1066, the Normans—a French-speaking group of Viking
descendants who had settled in Northern France—invaded England and
toppled the Saxon king.
 Under William the Conqueror, the Normans established an Anglo-Norman
government that slowly integrated traditional customs of the region with
Norman traditions.
 William the Conqueror imported French-style feudalism into England.
After William’s death in 1087, England went through a time of brief
destabilization as his heirs fought over his titles and property.
The country regained its strength under Henry II (1154–1189).
 Henry instituted a single common law code which applied equally to citizens; he
also created a unified court system which included jury trials.
England continued

7. As the 13th century progressed, English kings
continually needed money—especially for war.
 Henry III (1216–1272) – resisted Parliament, a
rebellion ensued & he was removed from throne
 Edward I (1239–1307) –Henry’s son; wanted to
grant power to collect money via Great Council
 Original parliament
 House of Lords: nobles and church lords
 House of Commons: knights and residents
 King could no longer tax without the consent of
the people
 The great council, later called Parliament, wanted
to control royal spending—and the power of the
monarch.
Development of Parliament
Edward I

8. Two groups gradually formed in
Parliament:
 House of Commons (Knights & Burgesses)
 House of Lords (Nobles & Bishops)
At first Parliament was meant to be a
tool to weaken the great lords. As
time went by, however, Parliament
became strong.
Like the Magna Carta, it provided a
check on royal power.
England Develops

9. Many city-states on
the Italian peninsula
Changed hands
often; controlled at
times by Germanic
tribes, Byzantines,
and the French
Rome and the Papal
States remained
important
Italian City-States
Medieval Italy

10.  Islamic forces
took control of
Spain in the early
8th century
 Muslim
innovations
 Agriculture
 Architecture
 Math and
science
Islam in Europe
Great Mosque of Córdoba

11. The Reconquista of Spain
Muslims ruled the Iberian
Peninsula for nearly 800
years
Reconquista: Struggle
between Christians and
Muslims to control Spain
718–1492
King Ferdinand of Aragon
and Isabella of Castile
Isabella and Ferdinand

12. The Hundred Years’ War:
1337–1453
Struggles between French
and English royal families
over who would rule either
country
Conflicts over territory,
trade
The Hundred Years’ War: Causes
English ruler Edward III

13. England had early
victories
The French
eventually expelled
the British from
mainland Europe
English military
innovation: the
archer
The Hundred Years’ War: Battles
The Battle of Crecy, the first major battle of the
Hundred Years’ War

14. Transitional period
New kingdoms evolved
The Church became a
dominant force
Modern institutions
originated
Legacy of the Medieval Era

15. Characteristics of the New Monarchies
1. They offered the institution of monarchy as a
guarantee of law and order.
2. They proclaimed that hereditary monarchy was the
legitimate form of public power  all should
accept this without resistance.
3. They enlisted the support of the middle class in
the towns  tired of the local power of feudal
nobles.
4. They would have to get their monarchies
sufficiently organized & their finances into reliable
order.

16. Characteristics of the New Monarchies
5. They would break down the mass of feudal,
inherited, customary, or “common” law in which
the rights of the feudal classes were
entrenched.
6. The kings would MAKE law, enact it by his own
authority, regardless of previous custom or
historic liberties  What pleases the prince has
the force of law!

17. 1. a sentiment based on common cultural characteristics that binds a
population and often produces a policy of national independence or
separatism
2. loyalty or devotion to one's country; patriotism

18. England  stability under the Tudors
France  consolidation of power.
Spain  unification by marriage.
Russia  Vikings make Moscow. Ivan the Terrible
rules with an Iron Fist.
Italy unification denied by outside forces and the
Vatican/Pope.
HR Empire  different model: the
cost of decentralization.
Ottoman Empire Turks conqueror
Constantinople laying foundation for modern Turkey.

19. England
Anglo-Saxons had been in
control of England since about
the 5th
century
Their last King was Edward the
confessor.
In 1051 Edward the Confessor
promised William Duke of
Normandy that he would name
him the heir to the throne of
England.
However When Edward dies in
1066 the witenagemot (an
Anglo-Saxon council of 100
nobles that advise the King),
chose Harold of Wessex to be
the new King

20. The Norman Conquest!
Norman = Normandy
Norseman = Vikings

21. The Battle of Hastings
Occurred on 14 October 1066
Hastings is located in Southeast
England
 (see the red dot!)
The battle was between William
Duke of Normandy and Harold II
King of England (formerly Harold
of Wessex) The Battle of
Hastings so a close fight. It was
only by chance that Harold was
killed before William, giving the
Normans the victory.
For some contemporaries of the
battle the outcome was the result
of divine will, rather than military
prowess.

22. The Bayeux Tapestry
long embroidered cloth which depicts the events
leading up to the Norman conquest of England as
well as the events of the invasion itself.

23. Harold II dies; William wins!
Harold gets shot through the eye with an arrow and
dies! His troops flee at the sight of their fallen leader.

24. The Bayeux Tapestry (an
embroidered strip of linen) tells
the story of William’s conquest
of England.
After his victory, William Duke
of Normandy became known as
William I of England.
William is credited with kick-
starting England into the phase
known as Medieval England. He
introduced modern castle
building techniques and by his
death in 1087, he had financially
tied down many people with the
Domesday Book.
William of England

25. The Domesdays Book is the
written record of a census
and survey of English
landowners and their
property made by order of
William the Conqueror in
1085–1086
If you know who owns what
land… you can tax them!!!!

26. Henry II
Strengthen the legal system
throughout England
Established Common Law
Established Grand Jury and Petit
Jury

27. Common Law
The system of laws originated and developed in England and based on
court decisions, on the doctrines implicit in those decisions, and on
customs and usages rather than on codified written laws.
Precedent: former court decision
Grand Jury
A jury of 12 to 23 persons convened in private session to evaluate
accusations against persons charged with crime and to determine
whether the evidence warrants a bill of indictment.
Normally done by Nobels.

28. Petit Jury
a jury of 12 persons empanelled to determine the facts of a case and
decide the issue pursuant to the direction of the court on points of law.
Judged by your own Class of people
a.k.a. “Jury of your peers”

29. Thomas à Becket
 Archbishop of Canterbury
Quarreled with King over who had ultimate
power: The Church or the King.
Thomas à Becket believed the Pope had ultimate
power.
“Will no one rid me of [him.]”
4 Knights killed Thomas à Becket while praying.
Murder of Thomas à Becket

30. Eleanor of Aquitaine
Only woman ever to be both Queen of England and Queen of France.
Queen of France:
She owned the large tract of land
called Aquitaine in Southern France.
Married for her land and wealth by
King of France
She only produced two daughters –
could not produce male heir
King of France divorced her for…not
producing male heir

31. Eleanor: Queen of England
Married King Henry II.
Married for her land and wealth.
She tried to overthrow Henry II unsuccessfully
Imprisoned for 16 years
Freed when Henry Died
Ruled England as “Firm but Fair” leader

32. Richard I “The Lionhearted”
Fought in the 3rd
Crusade
Was captured by
Saladin
Mother Eleanor ruled
England as Reagent
in his absence
Ransomed and
returned to England

33. King John (“Lackland”)
Very Unpopular King
Fought with everyone
Lost many lands
Chased into a barn and forced to sign the
Magna Carta
“A horse, a horse; my kingdom for a horse!”

34. Magna Carta
The Great Charter
Gave Due Process
Habeas Corpus
Guaranteed “No Taxation without
Representation”
Conflict between King John and the
English nobility
Nobles rebelled against excessive
taxation, forced King John to sign
the Magna Carta in 1215
Limited power of the monarch
Formal recognition that the king
was not above the law

35. Why is the Magna Carta Important?
Established the foundations for
Democracy.
Creates a Limited Monarchy.
Established Man’s Rights to
certain Freedoms or Inalienable
Rights

36. Hundred Years War
Henry V fights for English land in
France.
He defeats a much larger force at
the Battle of Agincourt.
Extremely Popular!
Wins Battles, but loose the War!
“From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of
brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother!”

37. War of the Roses
English Civil War
Who fought in the Wars of the Roses?
• The Wars of the Roses was fought between two rival families who both
laid claim to the throne of England: the House of Lancaster and the House
of York.
Decline of the Monarchy -
 Expenses of the Hundred Years War
 Increasing power of House of Commons
 Powerful nobles, including too many king’s uncles!
The Wars of the Roses was a civil war fought in England. It lasted for just
over 30 years from 1455 to 1487, however, the battles were mostly small
and sometimes were years apart.

38. The House of
Lancaster
The House of York
What did Roses have to do with it?
•The "War of the Roses" comes from the symbols, or badges, of the two
warring houses: the House of Lancaster was represented by a red rose and
the House of York by a white rose.

39. What started the war?
•The reasons behind the wars were complex. Both houses claimed to have a
right to the English throne as descendants of King Edward III.
•the current king, Henry VI, was mentally ill and was being advised by
corrupt and unpopular nobles.
Interesting Facts about the Wars of the Roses
• One of the largest battles in the war was the Battle of Towton where over
50,000 soldiers fought and around 25,000 soldiers were killed.
•Edward IV was six foot four inches tall. This was very tall for the time.
•The two houses were both branches of the royal House of Plantagenet.
• Some English nobles switched sides several times hoping to end up on the
winning side in the end.
•Margaret of Anjou led the Lancastrian army during several of the battles.
•The Battle of Losecote Field got its name when several of the losers took off
their coats in order to run away faster..
War of the Roses

40. Henry VII
The House of Tudor
Defeated Richard at the Battle of
Bosworth Field.
Strengthened his position by
marrying Elizabeth of York, reuniting
the two royal houses

41. Henry VIII
Wanted a Divorce from 1st
Wife, but
Pope would not grant it!
Separated from the Catholic Church;
made Anglican Church.
Began Protestant branch of
Christianity

42. Henry’s 7 Wives

43. Henry’s 7 Wives

44. Elizabeth I
Virgin Queen
Our State of Virginia was
named after her

45. The Windsors
Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was the original name… changed to Windsor
during WW1 due to anti-German sentiment.
Queen Victoria (1837-1901) married Prince Albert of Germany.
Name/House changed due to Marriage (i.e. taking his name)

46. France
After the rule of Charlemagne
the Frankish Kingdom began
to fail.
His grandsons split the
kingdom into 3 parts, this
weakened their power.
By the 890’s (not even 100’s
after Charlemagne’s death)
The Carolingian Dynasty was
under attack
From 893 to 987 the throne
bounced back and forth
between the Carolingians and
the descendants of Robert the
Strong.

47. In 987 Hugh Capet
became king and his
direct descendants would
rule France until 1328 with
the death of Charles IV
This became known as
the Capetian Dynasty
The Valois and Bourbon
(Louis XIV!) dynasties
were actually related
branches of the original
Capetian dynasty

48. Hundred Years War
 When Charles IV (last of the Capetians) died in 1328, he had no heir
 Dispute erupted over how should succeed him.
 Edward III of England claimed that because Charles IV’s sister was his own mother, that he should
have the rightful claim to the French throne
 It was decided by the French, however, that Charles’ cousin Philip would become king.
 Edward was outraged by the decision but was unable to launch an attack on France until
1337
 This began a conflict that lasted for 116 years known as the Hundred Years War.

49. Results of
the Hundred Year War
The war laid waste to much of
France and caused enormous
suffering; it virtually destroyed
the feudal nobility and thereby
brought about a new social
order.
By ending England's status as a
power on the continent (Europe,
remember England is on an
island), it led the English to
expand their reach and power
at sea.

50. Joan of Arc
 Joan of Arc was born in 1412 in the
Champagne region of France.
 At the age of 14 she began hearing
voices that she believed were that of 3
Saints. They told her that she must free
France from English dominance.
 In 1429 Joan lead troops in the name of
French King Charles VII at the city
Orléans.
 Joan helped raise troop moral and for the
1st
time the war began to shift in France’s
favor.
 Unfortunately Joan was captured by the
Burgundians (England’s French allies)
during a battle in 1430.

51. Joan
of
Arc
Joan of Arc being burned at the stake
Joan was put on trial by the church 3 times and eventually found guilty of
being a heretic.
Joan was burned at the stake by the British on May 30th
1431
Joan of Arc is still a idolized Patriot of France. She was canonized
(turned into a saint) in the 1920’s by the Catholic Church.

52. 100 Years War-first Modern war
Cannon could
batter down
walls with ease
No longer
needed to use
siege weapons

53. 100 Years War-first Modern war
Very basic
Handguns

54. 100 Years War
Longbow
Accurate, Deadly
& Long Range
Knights in Heavy
Armor were in terror of
the Longbow
“Pluck You” with the
Yew Tree

55. Spain
 Until 1479 Spain did not truly exist as a
united Kingdom. The Iberian peninsula had
5 different Kingdoms on it.
 In 1479 the Marriage of Ferdinand of
Aragon and Isabella of Castile, brought
together the two largest kingdoms on the
peninsula into a political alliance.
 Since the 700’s Muslims, had occupied
parts of Spain. In 1492 Ferdinand and
Isabella used their armies to drive out the
Moors, Spanish Muslims, from their last
strong hold in the south, the Kingdom of
Granada.1 2
1
2
3
3
4
4

56. Ferdinand & Isabella of Spain
The Madonna of the Monarchs
 The two monarchs consolidated
their power by taking away powers
from the church courts and the
nobles in their lands.
 Ferdinand and Isabella were very
devout Catholics. They initiated
the state persecution of non-
Christians (non-Catholics), by
forcing Jews and Muslims to
convert to Christianity.
 Spanish monarchs remained loyal
to the Catholic Church for
centuries
 A hundred years later King Philip II
continues this devotion to the
Catholic Church as he expanded
the empire to the west and tried to
defeat Protestants in France.

57. RECONQUISTA -1492 AD
DROVE MOORS
(Muslims/Islam) out of
Spain and back into
North Africa
DROVE Jews out of
Spain
Inquisition: (Large
Religious Trial)
Killed or converted
Heretics and non-
believers/ non-faithful