The document summarizes the notable contributions of several medieval European monarchs, including William the Conqueror of England who conducted the Domesday Book census; Henry II of England who broadened the royal justice system and began the jury system; John of England who signed the Magna Carta limiting monarchal power; and Edward I of England who created the Model Parliament establishing the bicameral legislature. In France, Hugh Capet increased royal power and made the throne hereditary founding the Capetian Dynasty, while Philip Augustus expanded royal lands and organized a standing army and national tax. Louis IX of France centralized the monarchy through expanded royal courts and ending serfdom. Philip IV of France established the Estates General

1. Rising Monarchies

2. On the following slides, determine
the most notable contributions of
each monarchs:

3. William the Conqueror (England)
• Exerted firm control over lands
• had Domesday Book compiled
▫ A census of everything in England since
everything now belongs to him

4. Henry II (England)
• Broadened system of royal justice laying basis
for English common law
▫ decisions of the royal courts
▫ laws that were the same for all people
▫ legal decisions based on precedent (previous legal
decisions)
• began jury system
▫ group of men sworn to speak the truth gathered by
local officials when traveling justices visited an
area

5. John “the Softsword” (England)
• lost war against Phillip II (of France)
• battled with Pope Innocent III and was
excommunicated
• signed the Magna Carta (1215)
▫ document that shaped government traditions in
England
▫ protected the legal rights of the nobility
▫ First time in history a monarch’s power was
limited

6. Edward I (England)
• Created the Model Parliament
▫ the framework for England’s bicameral legislature
▫ added the House of Commons to the already
existing House of Lords
▫ “what touches all, should be approved by all”

7. Hugh Capet (France)
• Increased royal power and built an effective
bureaucracy
• Made the throne hereditary beginning the
Capetian Dynasty

8. Philip Augustus
• Defeated heretics and claimed their lands for his
own expanding the power of the Capetians
• granted charters
• Hired paid middle class officials
• organized a standing army
• introduced a new national tax

9. Louis IX “Saint Louis” (France)
• Did much to make France an efficient centralized
monarchy
• religious ruler who expanded the royal courts and
ended serfdom
• persecuted Jews and heretics
• Led French knights in two Crusades
• Expanded his control over France by eliminating
serfdom in his personal domain
• Had roving officials to check up on local
administrators
• Served as judge in many cases

10. Philip IV (France)
• argued with Pope Boniface VIII over taxes
• Moved the seat of the pope to Avignon in
southern France
• set up the Estates General to gain support
against the pope
▫ had representatives from France’s three classes
(Clergy, Nobility, everyone else)
▫ Each estate had a single vote