Early-Late Middle Ages: Power in England & France476-1500
Reforms of William’s Successors▪ Henry I (1100 to 1135)▪ Set up treasury
▪ Contributions to legal system▪ Traveling judges▪ Weakened feudal lords & their justice
Reforms of William’s Successors▪ Henry II (1154 to 1189)▪ Increased royal authority▪ Vassals paid a fee= hire mercenaries▪ 12 member jury= Replaced feudal trial▪ Tried members of the clergy
Henry II▪ Sons plotted against him & his marriage was rough▪ Caused conflict w/ France
Thomas Becket▪ Archbishop of Canterbury, would NOT allow his clergy to be tried▪ Knights of Henry murdered Becket▪ Denied knowledge, but paid penance
▪ Becket= saint
King John & Magna Carta▪ King made nobles pay more taxes= wars in France▪ 1215, nobles joined against the king▪ Forced him to accept the Magna Carta
Magna Carta▪ Protected liberties of nobles▪ Outline rights of ordinary ppl▪ No new/special taxes w/out the consent▪ Supreme law
Simon de Montfort▪ Revolt of nobles against King Henry III▪ Simon led the revolt & built middle-class support
▪ 1265, asked for reps from the middle-class
Parliament▪ Middle-class meeting w/ clergy & nobles remained English
Parliament▪ Divided into 2 parts= “houses”▪ Nobles & clergy= House of the Lords▪ Knights & burgesses= House of the Commons
▪ Advised the king
Common Law▪ Edward I (1272 to 1307) 1 of the greatest monarchs▪ Divided the king’s court into 3 branches▪ Treasury: kept track of financial accounts▪ Common Pleas: ordinary citizens▪ King’s Bench: concerned the king or gov’t▪ Basis for future court verdicts; applied equally
Magna Carta▪ Afterward:▪ Growth of Parliament & beginnings of rep. gov’t ▪ Growth of common law, based on customs & judges’ decisions,
written codes
Quick Review▪ What contributions did William the Conqueror and
his successors make to England?
▪ Explain how the English Parliament was created and how it functioned.
▪ What is common law?
Activity: Magna Carta & the U.S. Constitution▪ With a partner▪ Compare the Magna Carta and the U.S. Constitution▪ Complete the sheet
Activity: Magna Carta & U.S. Constitution▪With your partner▪Write an outline of your own constitution▪ Consider: ideas from the Magna Carta and the U.S. Constitution▪What would you change?
