Transcript Rise of Western Europe

Rise of Western Europe
The Big Three: England, France, Holy Roman Empire
• By the end of the Dark Ages, 3 distinct powers had risen. France, England, and the Holy Roman Empire.
Holy Roman Empire
• Otto I was crowned emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in 962 A.D. for
helping the church spread through Germany and fighting in Italy
• Future German rulers wanted to create a Holy Roman Empire of Germany and Italy,
but could never defeat the combined Northern Italians and the Papal forces.
• Constant warfare resulted in the breaking up of Germany/Holy Roman
Empire into multiple independent kingdoms.
• Pope excommunicates, and as a result disempowers, Emperor Henry IV. Local rulers
rise against the emperor and take control of their own territories.
• The Pope had demonstrated the power of the church over the state.
England
• Isle of Britain fought over by Anglos, Saxons and Vikings starting around 400 A.D.
• Alfred the Great unites Britain and forms England in the 9th century A.D. and
Anglo-Saxon kings ruled
William the Conqueror – Duke of Normandy who invaded England in 1066
and defeated King Harold at the Battle of Hastings. Claimed the English throne
b/c he was previous kings cousin.
• The invasion of William the Conqueror is the last time that the island of Britain is
successfully invaded.
• Took a census of the island called the Domesday Book, first in Europe since the Romans
• Normans replaced English nobility, French became the language of royalty, blending of cultures results in a new
form of English.
Henry II – Expanded English territory into parts of France, Scotland and Ireland.
Attempted control over the church and had archbishop of Canterbury killed.
Richard I the Lionheart – Revolted against his father, Henry II, and would lead
England in 3rd crusade
John I – Brother of Richard the Lionheart who becomes king after Richard dies in Normandy. His high taxes and
brutal tactics led to revolt of English barons.
• Barons of England force John to sign the Magna Carta, the Great Charter.
* Waged war on the barons after signing Magna Carta
Magna Carta – document in 1215 that limited power of the king and strengthened the rights of the people
becoming the foundation of English law. Formed the basis of English Parliament
- House of Lords: Clergy and Nobles
- House of Commons: 2 knights and townspeople from county of England
* Phillip II also known as Phillip Augustus
France
• Phillip II, 1180-1223 A.D., expanded the authority of the king and
established Paris as the political center of France
• United French nobility behind him after defeating England at Battle of Bouvines
• Phillip IV, 1285 – 1314 A.D., merged the 3 estates of France into 1 single parliament.
The first French parliament in 1302, called the Estates-General.
• 3 estates were the Clergy 1st, Nobles 2nd, and Peasents 3rd