Struggle for Power in England Chapter 13 Section 4 Struggle for Power in England

Struggle for Power in England Section 4 Struggle for Power in England Anglo-Saxon and Norman England Before the1000’s – Kings and lords struggled for power Anglo-Saxon England By 450 Roman rule in Britain ended Germanic tribes moved in First as raiders, then as settlers Culture that emerged from Germanic settlement called “Anglo-Saxon” In reference to the two tribes Over time they formed several independent kingdoms Northumbria – Northern England Mercia – Central England Wessex – Southern England These kingdoms were divided into districts called Shires Governed by shire-reeve which becomes the word Sheriff

Alfred the Great By the 800’s the Kings of Wessex controlled almost all of England Vikings (Danes) challenged the rule of Wessex kings Over ran much of England Alfred the Great - 871 CE Came to throne of Wessex Tried to drive the Danes from the island Made a temporary peace after being defeated by them Spent 5 years building a powerful army and navy 876 - Attacked the Danes 886 - Danes surrendered Treaty allowed Danes to live and govern themselves in Mercia and Northumbria

Danish Rule Alfred’s successors were able to win more lands from the Danes During the 900’s Unified the country Strengthened the government Spread Christianity Danes began to attack again By 1013 Danes again controlled the entire country 1016 King Canute of Denmark took the throne of England Also most of Scandinavia in a combined kingdom Canute was a wise ruler – but sons were weak rulers By 1042 Danish line had died out Anglo Saxon nobles chose Edward the Confessor as new king

The Norman Conquest Edward died without leaving an heir in 1066 Duke William of Normandy From France A distant relative - claimed the throne Anglo-Saxons refused to recognize his claim Selected Harold of Wessex to be king Edwards brother-in-law William was determined to win the throne Crossed the English Channel with group of knights Defeated Harold’s army Crowned William I King of England Known as William the Conqueror

The Conqueror and his Successors William the Conqueror ruled from 1066–1087 Brought feudalism from France to England Modified feudal system so the king not nobles held supreme authority Each feudal lord had to swear personal loyalty to king So all English lords were Vassals of the king Stopped the lords from uniting against him Scattered their fiefs throughout England Laid strong foundation for centralized government and a strong monarchy

The Conqueror and his Successors Sent royal commissioners to every English shire Count each shire’s people Assess landholdings Measure type and value of property Results used to created a central tax system Records that were gathered became known as the Doomsday Book

Reforms under William’s Successors Henry I – Ruled from 1100 - 1135 Williams son, Able ruler Set up the new department of the Exchequer To handle kings finances Made central government more efficient Sent traveling judges throughout the country to try cases Weakened feudal lords Kings royal court, not the lords feudal courts dispensed justice

Henry II Henry II ruled from 1154 – 1189 Continues to increase royal authority Vassals could pay the king a fee instead of performing military service Used the money to hire mercenaries or soldiers Military loyal to him not the nobles England’s legal system grew Traveling judges established routes or circuits Used a 12 member jury system Replaced trial by ordeal or combat Decided civil as well as criminal cases

Henry II Sought to try members of the clergy who had already been judged in church courts To decrease the influence of church courts Thomas Becket - Archbishop of Canterbury Refused to allow his clergy to be tried Becket and Henry became bitter enemies 4 of the king’s knights murdered the archbishop in his cathedral, to help the king Henry denied any part of the murder, but did penance to appease the church Henry decides to leave the church alone

Henry II The Last years of his reign were trouble Sons plotted against him Marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine was stormy She brought into their marriage a lot of French lands which ended up causing conflicts with the French Overall Henry strengthened the English monarchy, reduced influence of the nobility.

King John and Magna Carta Henry II’s son Demanded nobles pay more taxes To support wars with France His actions led nobles to revolt In 1215 group of nobles joined together against the king Threatened armed revolt against him Forced John to accept a document known as the Magna Carta

Magna Carta and beyond Magna Carta Protected the liberties of the nobles Provided a limited outline of rights for England’s ordinary people King John agreed no new or special taxes without consent of the Great Council A body of nobles and church leaders who advised the king Promised not to take property with out paying for it Promised not to interfere with justice of the courts Agreed to trials by jury of peers Importance: King is not above the law Two other major changes took place following the Magna Carta Growth of Parliament – Beginning of Representative government Growth of Common Law – laws based on customs and judges decisions rather than law written law codes

Parliament 1260’s - Nobles revolt against King Henry III Threatened the Monarchy Revolt was led by Simon de Montfort (Lord) Tried to build middle class support for the nobles To unite against the king The Great Council – Nobles and Clergy Middle class representatives As this practiced continues - becomes the English Parliament Parliament was divided into 2 parts called “houses” Nobles and clergy - House of Lords Knights and burgesses - House of Commons Advised the king But could refuse taxes (important)

Common Law Edward I - ruled from 1272 – 1307 One of England’s greatest monarchs Divided the king’s court into 3 branches Court of Exchequer Keep track of the kingdom’s financial accounts Tried tax cases Court of Common Pleas Heard cases between ordinary citizens Court of the King’s Bench Conducted trials that concerned the king or government Decisions made by royal courts were collected and used as the basis from future court verdicts Known as Common Law Applied equally to all citizens Living Law, not based on code, but on times.