Transcript Unit 4 Medieval Origins of the Modern State Geography The Birth of England  History  5th Century invaders (Angles, Saxons and Jutes)  Locals  Alfred the.

Unit 4
Medieval Origins of the Modern
State
Geography
The Birth of England
 History
 5th Century invaders (Angles, Saxons and Jutes)
 Locals
 Alfred the Great (Wessex 871-899)
 United the 7 kingdoms against the Danish Vikings
 Won support as King of all England
 Began tradition of “consulting” his Barons
 Limited monarchy
The problems of succession
 Edward the Confessor (10421066) his death with no heir
caused a number of
problems
 English Barons elect Harold
II
 William Duke of Normandy
claims Edward promised him
the throne
 William finally invades and
defeated Harold II at the Battle
of Hastings in October of 1066
William I (1066-1087)
 Subdued Saxon
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revolts
Built castles
Gave his Norman
Barons 5/6 of the land
Loyalty oaths
Domesday Book
(1085) Census
 Angevin Lands
John I (1199-1216)
 “Lackland” lost Normandy early
 Heavy debt (lots of new taxes), confiscated
Church property, abusive and corrupt
 1215 at Runnymede forced to sign Magna Carta
 Limited monarchy
 Preserved the rights of the Nobles against the
monarchy (ex: Taxation)
 Mostly ignored by English Kings but still considered
the cornerstone of modern English law
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Rule of law
Powers and privileges of the king are clearly defined and limited
Charter provides for enforcement of restrictions placed on the king
Fairness of the laws and their execution
"Reasonable" rules and regulations
Equal justice under the law
Recognition of customs, traditions, and established rights
Restoration of property and fines if not justly taken
Punishment in proportion to the crime
Commitment to "due process of law"
Established procedures
No trial without evidence/testimony to support accusations
Reliance on local courts and magistrates
Trials held in a timely manner
Trials open to the public
Trial by a jury of one's peers
Respect for economic rights
Right to property
Fairness in economic transactions—standard weights and measures
Reimbursement for and/or restoration of property
Freedom for merchants to move in order to conduct business
France
 The Capetian dynasty (replaced the
Carolingians
 They controlled very little land
 Most of the country dominated by powerful feudal
princes
 Slowly established a solid power base and
eventually imposed their will on French Nobles
Phillip II Augustus
 King at 25
 Took Normandy back from John in 1204
 Claimed John forfeited the land because he
failed to appear at the French court
 New administration (Royal over local)
 Absolute Monarchy is the result
 Estates General too weak (Nobles not
unified)
English possessions in France