Chapter 13 Section 4

1. Chapter 13Section 4 Struggle for Power in England

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. The Norman Conquest • Edward died without leaving an heir in1066 • 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

6. 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

7. 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 theDoomsday Book

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.

13. King John and Magna Carta • King John • 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

14. 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

15. 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)

16. 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 asCommon Law • Applied equally to all citizens • Living Law, not based on code, but on times.