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The Power of Kings

The Power of Kings. The Rise of Nations in Europe & the End of the Middle Ages. The Church vs. The Nation. The Roman Catholic Church : Kept legal, economic, and educational systems alive in Europe during Middle Ages Power —wealth, ability to grant positions & excommunication.

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The Power of Kings

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  1. The Power of Kings The Rise of Nations in Europe & the End of the Middle Ages

  2. The Church vs. The Nation • The Roman Catholic Church: • Kept legal, economic, and educational systems alive in Europe during Middle Ages • Power—wealth, ability to grant positions & excommunication • Emerging Nations: • Hadn’t existed until end of Middle Ages! • Community of people who share government & territory as well as common language, culture, & national identity • Governed by one King • Power—wealthy & military strength, but also implied authority What does that mean?

  3. How had the role of King changed? • Used to be little difference between Kings & Lords • Control used to be entirely military (Might=Right), until… • Growing towns paid King taxes directly instead of through the Lords • Kings used this money to hire his own army, loyal to just him! • Further consolidated power during Crusades & Black Death (by taking back land & power from nobles who died)

  4. So, how did Nations form in Europe? • As kings became more & more powerful they spread their influence in many ways: • Germany—challenged Church for power to name Popes • Spain—united through marriage • France—united people based upon common religion • Russia—conquering neighbors

  5. England Becomes a Nation • Battle of Hastings (1066) William of Normandy (a region in France) conquered England • Became known as the Norman Conquest • “William the Conqueror” and his sons (Henry I & Henry II) united the nation & strengthened the throne

  6. King John Presses His Luck • Son of Henry II became king in 1199 • Tried to further increase wealth & power • Taxed all heavily • Jailed enemies w/o trial • Seized Church property • Took power to name Bishops from Pope

  7. Pay Backs for King John • With Clergy & Nobles united against him, John was stuck • June 15, 1215 he met with about 2,000 nobles in a meadow called Runnymede who had a list of demands • John was forced to make the demands law or risk losing his throne But, I don’t WANT to!

  8. The Magna Carta • “Great Charter” • Limited King’s power by giving some of it to the nobles • No longer jail without just cause • Had to consult nobles before raising taxes (“power of the purse”) • This group of noble eventually became the Model Parliament (the earliest form of England’s Representative Government) • Ironically ended up strengthening monarchy because now nobles supported it.

  9. Confusing Name & Amazing Story The 100 Years War

  10. Instead of Small Land Disputes Now Entire Nations Go to War! • Most famous example was The Hundred Years’ War • Series of clashes 1337-1453 (only fought during good weather) • England vs. France • Lasted 116 years • Causes: • Control of French throne & lands • Control of English Channel • Control of trade (and wealth it brought)

  11. The War Drags On… • One king after another on both sides • England won most of battles • French wouldn’t surrender • Things got interesting in 1429 when a French peasant girl got involved…

  12. Joan of Arc • French Dauphin Charles VII vs. English King Henry VI • French peasant girl hears voices of Saints at age 12 • Believes that God telling her to help save France • Goes to Dauphin to offer her help. He refused. • She returned the next year and with a small force, won several battles (despite being shot through the neck in one and the leg in another!) • Major victory at Orleans • Captured by Burgundians (allied with English) who put her on trial to avoid creating a martyr: • Put her on trial for heresy & witch craft • Then, burned her at the stake!

  13. Joan of Arc • Opps! Turns out she was turned into a martyr after all. • Inspired French to fight & unite. • By 1453, English were driven from most of France, which was now strong and united. • Joan became a saint and national heroine.

  14. Why do we care about the Hundred Years’ War? • Changed balance of power in England and France (to Kings and away from feudalism) • New types of warfare • From a few knights to many foot soldiers • From Hand-to-Hand Combat to Long Bow and Cannons • Nationalism—feeling of national identity and pride • With no chance of another European empire…where would these powerful nations look to expand their power?

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