The Decline of Feudalism

How did the events we will discuss today contribute to: 1. The Decline of Feudalism 2. The Rise of Democratic Thought The Decline of Feudalism + Main Idea There were many causes for the breakdown of the feudal system including the Plague, political changes in England, and a long series of wars. + Step One: Vocabulary Follow the steps to define four important words we will be using during this lesson: • Step 1: Use History Alive, pages 52-57, to define the word on the line • Step 2: Think of three words that relate to/you associate with the vocabulary word, and write them in the boxes + Magna Carta Definition 1. A written legal signed in 1215 that limited the power of the English monarch 2. 3. Habeas Corpus Definition Model Parliament Definition 1. The legal concept that an accused person cannot be jailed indefinitely without being charged with a crime 2. 3. 1. A governing body created by King Edward I of England that included some commoners, Church officials, and nobles 2. 3. Hundred’s Year War 1. 2. Definition 3. A series of battles fought between France and England from 1337-1453 + Major Events in Europe Henry II’s Legal Reforms King John and Magna Carta King Edward I and the Model Parliament Battle of Crécy The Burning of Joan of Arc What happened? What changed? Did these changes help end feudalism? Did these changes help democracy rise (more people involved in the government)? Or did these changes do both? Explain! Henry II’s Legal Reforms + Major Events in Europe Henry II’s Legal Reforms What Changed: • Henry II focused on legal reform • He insisted that a jury formally accuse a person of a serious crime. • People were tried by royal judges and had to have a court trial. • (People could no longer just be thrown into jail without reason) • Henry II also issued the Constitutions of Clarendon: • This spelled out the rights of a King • It also made church officials be tried in a Royal Court, not a Church Court Increased Democracy or Decreased Feudalism? • Decreased Feudalism: By strengthening the royal courts, he weakened the power of the feudal lords. Edward I and Parliament + Major Events in Europe King Edward’s Parliament What Changed: • Edward I created an English governing body called Parliament that included: • Commoners • Lower ranking clergy • Church officials • Nobles Increased Democracy or Decreased Feudalism? • Increased Democracy: Parliament was intended to include more people in government The Magna Carta is a symbol of freedom from oppression, used by the Founding Fathers of the United States of America, who in 1776 looked to the charter as a historical example to follow for declaring their liberty from the English crown. King John and Magna Carta Major Events in Europe + King John and Magna Carta What Changed: • King John agreed to Magna Carta, or “Great Charter” • It was basically a “deal” between the King and the Nobles • The King could continue to rule if he promised to observe the law and recognize the rights of the nobles and the Church • A monarch could no longer collect special taxes without the consent of nobles and Church officials. • No “free man” could be jailed except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land- Habeas Corpus • It also introduced the idea that not even the monarch was above the law. Increased Democracy or Decreased Feudalism? • Decreased Feudalism: Magna Carta was intended to weaken the power of the monarch • Increased Democracy: Magna Carta took power away from the monarch and gave it to the nobles The Hundred Years’ War + The Hundred Years’ War A war started over land in France that both the French and the English claimed to own Why is it called the Hundred Years’ War if it is 116 years long? + Major Events in Europe The Battle of Crécy The French: The English: The English win the early years of the war •Had a feudal army that relied on horse-mounted knights. •Knights wore heavy armor. •Weapons were swords and lances. •Some of the infantry, or foot soldiers, used crossbows, which were effective only at short ranges. •Army was made up of lightly armored knights, foot soldiers, and archers armed with longbows. •Some soldiers were recruited from the common people and paid to fight. Captured by the English, tried for witchcraft and heresy and burned at the stake in 1431, at the age of 19, the Maid of Orléans (as Joan was known) had long been considered one of history’s greatest women, and an enduring symbol of French unity and nationalism. Joan of Arc + Major Events in Europe Joan of Arc Joan of Arc, a peasant girl living in medieval France, believed that God had chosen her to lead France to victory in its long-running war with England. With no military training, Joan helped lead a French army to the besieged city of Orléans, where it achieved a momentous victory over the English. Her actions inspired many French people to feel more strongly about their king and nation. • Nationalism: a feeling that people have of being loyal to and proud of their country often with the belief that it is better and more important than other countries + The Battle of Crecy and Joan of Arc Increased democracy or Decreased Feudalism? • Decreased Feudalism: • Power shifted to common people • Kings didn’t have to rely on nobles for knights • Longbows and gunpowder made castles unnecessary and useless • New feeling of nationalism shifted power away from lords • The work force (the common people) were hit hardest by the Hundred Years’ War. For this reason, they come out of the war with greater power and influence + Processing The figures below represent three individuals from medieval Europe—a noble, a commoner, and a knight. Draw facial features on each figure to express how he might have felt about events that led to feudalism’s decline. Then, fill in each thought bubble by •describing an event leading to the decline of feudalism from that person’s perspective (include thoughts, feelings, and observations). •explaining how the event affected that person’s life. •predicting how the decline of feudalism will affect that person’s role in medieval society. + Don’t forget to do a facial expression Example England just signed their Constitution into law and I am thrilled that this happened because this means that the King has less power and we, nobles, gain more power. This also means that I can finally vote and own my own land. Even though I may have to pay more taxes, if it means I get more of a say in how my country is run, then it is worth it.