THE RISE OF NATION STATES:
ENGLAND AND FRANCE
Ms. Carmelitano
THE RISE OF NATION STATES
By the 900’s the Carolingian Empire left small
feudal states in Europe
 European monarchs consolidated their power
and began creating nation states in the late
medieval period


A state whose citizens share a language or common
descent.
ENGLAND
Native people: Anglo-Saxons
 Alfred the Great: King 871-899 AD

Protected Anglo-Saxons from the Vikings
 United the kingdom, calling it England: “Land of the
Angles”


Canute: King in 1016

United Anglo-Saxons and Vikings into one people
CONQUEST

Alfred the Great died in 1042, leaving no heir


A struggle for the throne ensued
William the Conqueror

Duke of Normandy– North of France, conquered by
Vikings


Claimed the English crown against Harold
Godwinson


Viking descents, but French in culture and language
An Anglo-Saxon
October 14, 1066, Battle of Hastings
Harold was killed, William the Conqueror took the throne
 Laid the foundations for a centralized government in
England

HENRY II

Goals of English kings
1. Hold on to French lands
 2. Strengthen power over the church and nobles


Henry II: (1154-1189 AD) married Eleanor of
Aquitaine from France to strengthen the alliance
Holding land in France made him a vassal to the
French King
 He was also a king in England

HENRY’S GOVERNMENT

Royal Courts of Justice


Sent royal judges throughout England once a year to
collect taxes, settle lawsuits, punish crimes
Juries
Introduced juries to English courts
 Group of 12 loyal neighbors of the accused who
answered questions about facts of a case


Common law

Rulings made by England’s Royal Judges

(These became precedents for later laws)
MAGNA CARTA

Henry’s son John took the throne from 1199-1216
John Softsword
 John lost all of the lands in Normandy to the French
 Over-taxed his subjects
 Alienated the church


June 15, 1215 – the subjects rebelled and forced
John to sign the Magna Carta (Great Charter)
Written by English nobles
 Guaranteed basic political rights and checked the
power of the king


No taxation without representation, a jury trial, protection
under the law
PARLIAMENT

Edward I
Needed money to fight the French ,Welsh, and Scots
 1295 AD summoned two wealthy citizens (burgesses)
from every borough and two knights to serve as
parliament

This will become the Legislative group in England
 November 1295 AD – knights, burgesses, bishops, lords met
at Westminster in London – the Middle Parliament
 Parliament was called when taxes were needed
 House of Commons: Lower house with officials voted in
 House of Lords: Upper house with appointed officials

FRANCE

After the fall of the Holy Roman Empire, counts
and dukes ruled independently under the Feudal
system


In 1000 AD: France was 47 different territories
The Capet family
A French noble family
 Hugh Capet – a duke who ruled Paris
 Capetian dynasty: French kings from 987 to 1328

THE KINGDOM OF FRANCE
For 300 years Capetian Kings strengthened the
kingdom
 Philip II: Ruled from 1180 to 1223 AD



Seized Normandy from King John, and expanded the
lands of France
Philip IV (1285-1314) created the EstatesGeneral

Council of advisors (General Assembly)
First Estate: church leaders
 Second Estate: lords
 Third Estate: commoners
