1. Aim: Which was a Better System of Government - Feudalism or Medieval Nation States?
Do Now: The King of England dies. He did not have any surviving children. What legal argument can you make to convince the people of England that YOU deserve to be king?
A reenactment of the Battle of Hastings

2. I Medieval England
A) After the fall of the western Roman Empire, the Angles and Saxons (Germanic tribes) invaded Britain.

3. Medieval England Continued…
B) 1066 CE King Edward the Confessor of England died without a son. Harold Godwine of England claimed the throne, but William of Normandy (northern France) claimed it too  Battle of Hastings. C) Oct 14, 1066 William “the Conqueror” crossed the English Channel and defeated Harold at the Battle of Hastings.
English Channel
Harold (above) was shot in the eye with an arrow.
NORMANDY

4. Vikings Had Settled in Normandy (Northern France)

5. Medieval England Continued…
The Bayeux Tapestry was created in the 11th century CE to show the Norman conquest of England. The Bayeux Tapestry consists of 72 scenes, hand embroidered on linen, 250 feet long.
Norman Ships crossing the English Channel

6. Medieval England Continued…
F) William the Conqueror ruled England
1. Brought feudalism to England.
2. French became the language of the king’s court Middle English (Old Germanic English + Latin based French)
3. Created the Great Council of Norman nobles to advise him. By the 13th century the Great Council was called Parliament.
4. William the Conqueror sent government officials to count people, animals, and property for taxing. This information was recorded in the Domesday Book. It was believed the only thing more accurate than the Domesday Book would be the Last Judgment or “Doomsday”.
Alnwick, A Norman Castle

7. Tower of London (Built by William the Conqueror)
William the Conqueror created the first fortifications after the conquest of London The Norman invader lacked support among the people of the city and he feared its inhabitants could throw him out.

8. Medieval England Continued…
G) In 1215 the English nobles forced King John to sign the Magna Carta (Great Charter). It guaranteed certain rights to the nobility:
1. The King needed consent of the nobles to collect new taxes
2. The King can’t take a noble’s property without paying for it
3. The King can’t delay justice
4. Any accused noble is entitled to a jury trial
* The King was now not above the law.
6th Amendment of the US Constitution:
“In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury… and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation...”

9. VI The 100 Years War
A) As William the Conqueror was from Normandy (northern France), later English kings claimed that France belonged to England. But French Kings claimed that England belonged to them! This led to the 100 Years War.

10. The 100 Years War Continued…
B) At first the English were winning due to their new weapon, the long bow. The French used the cross bow (a weapon first used in Asia). It was less efficient than the long bow, but required less training to master.
The long bow shoots up to 400 yards!
An archer could shoot arrows per minute!
BUT it took a lot of training to master.

11. The 100 Years War Continued…
C) At 13 years old, Joan of Arc (a peasant) heard voices of angels and saints, telling her to lead France to victory against the English.

12. The 100 Years War Continued…
D) Joan of Arc wore men’s clothes to see the French king Charles VII. He let her lead the French army. She never fought in a battle, but carried a banner to inspire the French to victory. In April of 1429, the French army led by Joan expelled the British from Orleans in only 3 days! E) May 23, 1430 Joan was seized by Burgundians (they were fighting for power against the French King). King Charles VII of France refused to pay her ransom, so she was sold to the English. F) In 1431 she was put on trial in England for heresy and witchcraft. May 30, 1431 she was burned at the stake. In 1920 Joan of Arc was canonized as a Saint.

13. A Letter by Joan of Arc to King of England
“King of England, render account to the King of Heaven of your royal blood. Return the keys of all the good cities which you have seized, to the Maid. She is sent by God to reclaim the royal blood, and is fully prepared to make peace, if you will give her satisfaction; that is, you must render justice, and pay back all that you have taken…”
– A letter by Joan of Arc to the King of England, 1428
The opening statement of her trial: "Here begin the proceedings in matter of faith against a dead woman, Jeanne, commonly known as the Maid.”

14. VI The End of Feudalism?
A) The 100 Years war ended Oct 19, France expelled the English, increasing the power of the French King. After the war, nationalism increased in France and England.
B) Rise of revolts by serfs and peasants.
Ex: Peasant Revolt of 1381: Led by Wat Tyler and John Ball. The immediate cause was a new poll tax in England  60,000+ armed protesters who blew up the Savoy Palace (home of Duke of Lancaster). King Richard II met with the rebels and promised to end the poll tax and grant pardons if the rebels go home. Instead, the rebel leaders were rounded up and hanged.
“It was all over. We had failed. We remaining peasants looked up at the rotting bodies of our friends hanging by chains and ropes from the trees. We wondered why we had let ourselves be tricked.” – anonymous peasant, 1381

15. VII Rise of Nation States
Nation State: A sovereign [self governing] state whose citizens or subjects share a common national identity.

16. Summary Questions
1. How did William the Conqueror become King of England? How did he change medieval England? 2. What was the Magna Carta and why was it important? Do you think the 6th amendment of the American Constitution is based on it? Explain your answer. 3. Based on the letter Joan of Arc wrote to the King of England and your knowledge of history, do you think Joan of Arc was crazy or knew what she was doing? Explain your answer.

17. Key Vocabulary
100 Years War Battle of Hastings Bayeux Tapestry Cross Bow Domesday Book Long Bow Joan of Arc Magna Carta Nationalism Normandy Parliament William the Conqueror