Monarchs, nobles, and the church -Monarchs were the head of society, but relied on vassals for military support. -both nobles and the church had their own court, collected their own taxes, and fielded their own armies. -Monarchs expanded the royal domain and set up a system of royal justice that undermined feudal or church courts. Strong monarchs in England -in 1066 King Edward died without on heir -a council of nobles chose his brother in-law heir to rule. -Duke William also claimed the throne. Norman Conquest -Duke William raised an army and won the backing of the Pope. -At the Battle of Hastings, Duke William and his Norman Knights triumphed over Harold. - On Christmas day, Duke William assumed the crown of England.

Growth of the Royal Power - Duke William granted fiefs to the Church and his Norman Lords but also kept a large amount of land for himself. - He had a Census called the Doomsday Book, which listed every castle, field and pigpen in England. - In formation from the Doomsday Book, helped Duke William build an efficient system of tax collecting. -Duke William successor created the royal exchequer or treasury, to collect taxes. A Unified legal system. -King Henry II, inherited the throne in He set up common law, a legal system based on customs and court rulings. - When traveling justices visited an area, local officials collected a jury or group of men sworn to speak the truth. Conflict with the Church -Henry’s efforts to extend the royal power led to a dispute between Henry Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury. -After four of King Henry’s Knights murdered the Archbishop of Canterbury to make peace with the Church Henry eased his attempts to regulate his clergy.

Evolving Traditions of English Government -After English rulers repeatedly clashed with the nobles and the Church, battles developed as a result of effort by the Monarch to raise taxes or impose royal authority over tradition feudal rights. John’s Troubles - Henry‘s son John faced three powerful enemies: King Philip II of - France, Pope Innocent III, and his own nobles. -John suffered a set back when he lost a war with Pope Innocent III and had to give up English held lands. -When John rejected the Popes nominee for Archbishop, the Pope excommunicated him and placed England under the interdict. To save himself and his crown he accepted a fief of the papacy and paid and yearly fee to Rome. The Magna Carta - A Group of rebellious barons cornered John and forced him to sign Magna Carta, or The Great Charter. - In this document the King affirmed a long list of feudal rights. -the magna carta contained 2 important ideas that would shape government traditions in England.

Development of parliament -in keeping with the magna carta, English rulers often called a great council for advice this body evolved into a parliament. -later, this assembly became known as the model parliament because it set up the France work for England’s legislature. Successful monarchs in France -monarchs in France did not rule over a unified kingdom. The Capetians -feudal nobles elected Hugh Capet to fill the vacant throne. -he had hid heirs make the throne hereditary passing it from throne to throne. -added to their land by playing rival nobles against each other, also won support of the church. -the capetians built a bureaucracy and government officials collected taxes and imposed royal laws over the kings domain.

Phillip Augustus -Phillip Augustus was a shrewd and able ruler. -instead of appointing nobles to fill government positions, he used paid middle class officials who would owe their loyalty to him. -he granted new charters to many towns, he organized a standing army, and introduced a new national tax. -before his death in 1223 he had become the most powerful ruler in Europe. Louis IX, king and saint -King Louis IX was generous, noble, and devoted to justice and chivalry. -within 30 years of his death he was declared a saint. -he was a deeply religious man. -persecuted heretics and Jews and led thousands of French knights in 2 wars against Muslims. -his enormous personal prestige helped create a strong national feeling among his subjects. Phillip IV clashes with the pope. -ruthlessly extended royal power. -in efforts to collect new taxes led to clash with pope Boniface VIII -pope forbade Phillip to tax so he responded by threats to arrest any clergy who didn’t pay.

The estate general -during struggle with pope Phillip rallied French support by setting up estates. -the estate general didn’t develop same role as the English parliament did.