Britain, France, Spain and Russia

A. Norman Conquest (1066 A.D.)1. 1066 A.D.- Anglo-Saxon king Edward

dies – brother in law Harold chosen to rule

2. Duke William of Normandy challenged throne – supported by Pope

3. Battle of Hastings – William vs. Harold – William won and became king as William the Conqueror (King William I)

B. William the Conqueror (William I) (r. 1066-1087 A.D.)

1. Feudal lord with vassals – vassals had to pledge first loyalty to him – granted fiefs but kept most land for himself

2. Compiled the Domesday Book, a census of the land, for tax collection

C. King Henry II (r. 1154-1189 A.D.)1. Created a royal exchequer to collect

taxes2. Sent out traveling justices to enforce

laws – called Common law because it was the same for all people

3. Early jury system- men sworn to tell the truth determined what cases should be brought to trial

D. King John (r. 1199-1216 A.D.)Clashes with church - interdict of England by

Pope Innocent III– England a fief to Rome Magna Carter (Great Charter) – 1215 A.D. –

confirmed feudal rights – gave nobles rights (later given to common people) and established monarchs must obey the law

Formation of Parliament – began as a council for advice – soon became a two house Model Parliament of nobles and middle class

A. The Capetians1. Hugh Capet- elected to rule in 987

A.D.2. Hugh and successors strengthened

royal power and added to their lands3. Effective bureaucracy of tax

collectors and officials who imposed royal law – keeping order gave Capetians the support of the middle class

B. Philip Augustus (Philip II) (r. 1179-1223 A.D.)

1. Used paid officials in government jobs rather than nobles to ensure loyalty

2. Created new cities by charter3. Organized standing army4. Began a national tax5. Gained former English territory such

as Normandy and land in southern France

C. Louis IX (r. 1226-1270 A.D.)

1. Used officials who checked on local administrators

2. Outlawed private wars - ended serfdom in his lands

3. France became a centralized monarchy

D. Philip IV (r. 1285-1314)1. Taxed French clergy and angered the

Pope2. When Pope died, a Frenchman became

Pope and was moved to Avignon so rulers could control religion

3. Set up the Estates-General in 1302 A.D.a. Representative bodyb. Contained members of the clergy,

nobles, and townspeoplec. Sometimes the King would consult

E. 100 Years War (1337-1453 A.D.)1. Wars between France and England2. English rulers wanted to keep old

French lands - French kings wanted French lands

3. Both sides took advantage of the use of the crossbow – England had the longbow – France also began to use the cannon

4. Joan of Arc, age 17 in the year 1429 A.D., said God gave her the duty to save Francea. Led the army against the Englishb. Brought about several French

victoriesc. Taken captive by English and

burned at the stake as a witch5. English defeated by the French

ReconquistaChristian kingdoms North wanted

Muslims out to “reconquer” the land – largely successful

Isabella and Ferdinand Completed the reconquista in 1492 A.D.Wanted religious and political unityNo religious toleration of Muslims or

JewsInquisition to try heresy

A. Princes of Moscow in power after MongolsB. Ivan the Great (r.1462-1505 A.D.)

1. Absolute rule – adopted Byzantine customs – took on the name czar (tsar), Russian for Caesar

2. Limited boyars, or nobles, powerC. Ivan the Terrible (r. 1547-1584 A.D.)

1. Introduced serfdom – granted land to nobles for military/other service

2. Oprichniki- “terror” agents who imposed laws