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This thesis explores the evolution of political systems and values in England, France, and the Holy Roman Empire, and how these factors, along with growing greed and disparity, led to a series of catastrophic events that eventually brought down the political, cultural, and religious systems of Medieval Europe.
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Thesis: Due to the evolution of different political systems and values in England; France; and The Holy Roman Empire (Germany), coupled with the growing greed and disparity found within a rigid hierarchical system, a series of long catastrophic events helped accelerate and eventually brought down the political, cultural, and religious systems of Medieval Europe.
England after William • Brought French customs and feudal system with him • Language: English is out, French is in • Establishes dynasty (Norman) • DomesdayBook – systematic organization; supposed to last until the end of the world • Gives Normandy to oldest son, England to middle son, and $$ to youngest son, Henry • Henry I beats both of them—Robert at the Battle of Tinchebrai; William is assassinated—and unites England and France • Starts to establish central and judicial power used today
Henry II (1154-1189) • After The Anarchy, Henry II, greatgrandson of William the Conqueror, takes the throne • Quintessential high medieval king, marries quintessential high medieval queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine • Begins Plantagenet dynasty • Started juries, common law, and seeds of what would become Parliament • Strengthened courts by sending royal judges out to collect taxes, punish crimes • Got rid of personal, manorial courts and papal courts so that only royal courts could have trials standardizes justice and separates church and state • Most remembered for fight with Archbishop Thomas Beckett
Common Law • THIS IS NOT THE IDEA THAT THERE ARE THE SAME LAWS THROUGHOUT THE LAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!! • Rather a version of who makes the laws: • Centuries of court decisions in England • When added up, this becomes a body of laws known as common law • Basis of law in United States, Canada, Zimbabwe, India, Australia, etc. other former English colonies (about ¼ of the world)
Early Plantagenets – Richard I and John • Plantagenets begun by Henry II lasts till 1453 (longest English dynasty) • Henry II succeeded by Richard the Lionhearted who goes on crusade, a lot • He dies heirless, his brother John becomes King: • Starts war with France for no real reason—annoys nobles • Loses most of it by the end—annoys nobles • Tries to oppose a papal appointment • Pope places Interdict on England—annoys nobles • Eventually becomes a vassal of the Pope—annoys nobles • Taxed nobles without their consent—annoys nobles • Tries to conscript and control peasants and serfs—annoys nobles (and peasants)
Magna Carta • England was (and still is)most free country Europe—first to curtail King’s power in Magna Carta • Nobles force John to sign a document (Great Charter) – Runnymede 1215 • Limited power of the king • Guaranteed many rights—for nobles • No taxation without representation • Right to a jury trial • Protection under the law for all citizens • First basis civil rights in Britain and then United States • Start idea of Bill of Rights and civil rights • Four left today: Lincoln, Salisbury, British Library, US National Archives • Same rights that our founding fathers fought for
Edward I (1239-1307) and Parliament • Edward I (Longshanks) conquers Wales, most of Scotland (for a bit), Ireland, and wins back the majority of Western France • To fight these wars he needs money; trying to follow the Magna Carta he calls a group of people asking them to make a law of taxation: • Two knights and two wealthy citizens from every county in England, as well as nobles and bishopsbecomes House of Commons and House of Lords • Met at Westminster in London • Functions very well—shares power • Only to have his incompetent son and grandson blow it all…
France & Holy Roman Empire • In HRE, Charlemagne leads Carolingian Renaissance: • money, miniscule, and Latin comeback. Scholasticism, arts, and piety imp. • With death, empire splits, eventually forming two main categories: The Holy Roman Empire, and France • Both become beacons of the feudal system • Both remain close to Pope and vie for his favor
Holy Roman Empire • HRE leader “elected” for next 800 years • Loose confederation of states from the Baltic to Italy, but central monarch has limited power • Close to Pope & often fighting • Pope wins: Henry IV and Gregory at Canossa • King wins: Frederick I and taxes • No separation of Church & State – church administrates state • Frederick II: gains Italy to Sicily; kick starts Renaissance • End of Middle Ages: Hapsburg’s appear
France • French crown hereditary, Hugh Capet and descendents hold throne until 1792. • Capetian kings strengthen grip • Phillip II (1180-1223) is most notable: wins back most of English lands from John of England; starts rigid admin system • His grandson Phillip IV founded Estates-General (3 Estates: Noble, Clergy, Wealthy Commoners) all members appointed • Strengthen Monarch and Administration • No personal rights, little separation of Church and State
Hundred years war background • Like many medieval problems it begins with Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine… • Normans and Anjous (devil spawn) marry, creating Plantagenets and a whole lot of inbreeding • By the end, Philip IV (France) was actually the grandfather of Edward III (England) • Philip dies, no heir • Edward claims French throne, launches war to get it in 1337 • War lasted over 100 years – 1337 until 1453 (Ed III and several other English and French kings were dead by then)
Hundred Years War • Key changes in warfare • Chivalry practiced, supposedly • Crossbow and Longbow introduced by English • Arrows from longbows were strong enough to pierce armor • Led to serious beat downs by the English • Most of English side of war fought and won under Henry V (1386-1422) • Usually considered model late middle ages king—got on with nobles, church also chivalrous and educated • Reckless youth then came of age, cleaned up England made it powerful • Amazing general • Died early (infection from battle) • English slaughtered the French at Crecy, Poitiers, and Agincourt…
Battle of Agincourt • Outnumbered English (6,000) army led by Henry V crushes French (25,000) because of better technology – mainly archers • Victory so inevitable (to the French) they were throwing dice for the spoils the night before • Henry motivates men to victory, and French choose a very crummy spot to fight • 200 English die; 7,000 French die • Henry executes French nobles who surrender (not very chivalrous) • One of the most famous battles in English history • Begins Anglo-American “underdog mentality”
Joan of Arc • Agincourt continues series of French losses, and at first the war starts to end w/a truce saying Henry V is King of France when the French King dies • But Henry dies first and French renege. This goes badly until… • Peasant girl named Jeanne D’Arc claims to have had visions from God telling her to save France from the English • She becomes their military leader! • Leads the French army at Orleans – age 19 • Almost loses, but at the last minute she leads a charge and defeats the English • Charles VII, the true heir to the French throne, goes with her to Reims (Cathedral) and is crowned King of France • BUT….
Joan of Arc • She gets captured and turned over to the English in 1430 • English give her to “church authorities” to stand trial • They condemn her as a witch • Burned at the stake in 1431… • … and French do nothing to stop it
Impact of Hundred Years War • Nationalism in England and France • French monarchy becomes stronger and stronger • No longer a feudal lord, but a national leader • Plunges England into civil war: War of the Roses over which royal family would rule • Ends of the middle ages
