The High to Late Middle Ages
The High to Late Middle Ages
High Middle Ages 1000-1300Late Middle Ages 1300-1500Y Feudalism losing its place as the basis of
societyY Rise of nation-statesY What is a nation-state? Centralized
authority over a state and united by cultural identity.
J Case Study: Watch England (in brief)N Fall of Roman Empire, overrun by
Anglos, Saxons and VikingsN European identity emerged with the
Norman conquest by William the Conqueror in 1066
N 1215 English king John forced to sign the Magna Carta by powerful nobles
N Enter the 100 Year’s War, emerge a centralized nation state
National MonarchiesNational MonarchiesEngland:Early Middle Ages: Anglo-Saxon and Viking invasionsHigh Middle Ages:England now had stronger kings with centralized authority and many loyal barons. England became the first truly unified state under William the Conqueror. In 1066 he brought the Normans, descendents of the Vikings, across and conquered Harold, the Saxon King
The Norman ConquestThe Norman ConquestThe Norman Conquest of Britain in 1066 AD.William the Conqueror (aka William of Normandy) invaded England and in the Battle of Hastings, he defeats his rival and claims himself King of England.Although William is the King of England, he also controls lands in France.From here on out, it is English rulers’ goal to control lands in both England and France.
King John and the Magna Carta1215
King John and the Magna Carta1215By 1215, the English
monarchs are well established.Famous couple King Henry II and Queen Eleanor of AquitaineProduced Richard the Lionhearted and King John (Prince Lackland!!!)
King John- wages unsuccessful wars to gain land in FranceThus raises taxes & quarrels with the PopeIrate nobles force John to Runnymede to sign the Magna CartaKey contribution: establishes notion of limited government used later in history
I, King John, accept that I have to govern according to the law.So I agree:1. Not to imprison nobles without trial2. That trials must be in courts; not held in secret by me3. To have fair taxation for the nobles4. To let freemen travel wherever they like5. Not to interfere in Church matters6. Not to seize crops without paying for them…. and lot more things too!!
The Magna Carta- in modern day terms
The Magna Carta- in modern day terms
By the 1300’s England and France at war over land once more. This time a century of war will change the face of
Europe forever…..
By the 1300’s England and France at war over land once more. This time a century of war will change the face of
Europe forever…..
The Hundred Year’s War
The Hundred Years WarThe Hundred Years War
The term "Hundred Years War" was a historical term used by historians to describe a series of events in the 14th and 15th centuries.
The conflict was between France and England, lasting 116 years, though there were long periods between battles.
It was fought primarily over claims by the English kings to the French throne.
Root: 1. Desire for land and Power
Root: 1. Desire for land and Power
A. Desire to maintain control, even expand Some English kings even marry into the French nobility and gain more lands through marriage.King Henry II does this and therefore he is king of England and a vassal in France.
Root: Desire for land and Power
Root: Desire for land and Power
B. Disruption of English wool trade in FlandersWool from England was made into cloth in Flanders (modern day Belgium) When the French attempted to control Flanders, the wool trade was disrupted, causing a problem for the English king whose revenues came to a large degree from a tax on wool going to Flanders
C. Controversy Over Succession
C. Controversy Over Succession
King Philip IV
Charles of Valois
Philip of Valois
Isabella of France Edward II of England
Edward III
King of France- French law forbade inheritanceThrough the female line.
So the French selected Charles
Following the death of King Philip IV in 1314, the French nobility selected Philip of Valois, a nephew of the last king through the male line to become the new king.
Y He was chosen in preference to King Edward III of England, whose mother was the daughter of the late king.
In 1340, Edward III claimed the title “King of France.” and the war starts…
Controversy Over Succession
Controversy Over Succession
A Struggle for National Identity
A Struggle for National Identity
France was NOT a united country before the war began.
The French king only controlled about half of the country.
Military CharacteristicsMilitary Characteristics
The War was a series of short raids and expeditions punctuated by a few major battles, marked off by truces or ineffective treaties.
Y The relative strengths of each country dictated the sporadic nature of the struggle.
French AdvantagesFrench Advantages
Population of about 16,000,000.
Far richer and more populous than England.
At one point, the French fielded an army of over 50,000 at most, Britain mustered only 32,000.Heavier armor
British AdvantagesBritish Advantages
Weapons Technologies- longbow
In almost every engagement, the English were outnumbered.Y Britain’s most successful
strategies:/ Avoid pitched battles./ Engage in quick, profitable
raidsN Steal what you can.N Destroy everything else.N Capture enemy knights to hold
for ransom.
Early English VictoriesEarly English Victories
The beginning of the end of classic chivalry.French knights were exhausted from riding all day to the battle field, only to have to then storm up a hill while being cut down by English archers.The battle also saw the first use of cannons on a European battlefield.The outnumbered English completely decimated the larger French army. The French suffered over 15,000 casualties compared to just a few hundred English.Many French nobles are captured and held for ransom following the battle.
The Battle of Crecy, 1346The Battle of Crecy, 1346
The Effective Use of the Cannon at Crecy, 1346The Effective Use of the Cannon at Crecy, 1346
The CannonThe CannonLong tubular piece of artillery that uses gunpowder to launch a projectile.The cannon transforms siege tactics and the ways forts will be built to withstand such power.Later the large cannons would be replaced by smaller cannons with wheels that were much more maneuverable.
Edwards the III son, Edward IV (known as the “Black Prince of Whales” due to his choice of armor) invaded France from Gascony.The Black Prince’s army soundly defeated the French army due to a new technology, the longbow.The Black Prince was also able to capture the new king of France, John II, and force him to sign a treaty that gave French lands to the English.Without a king, France plunges into chaos.
The Battle of Poitiers, 1356The Battle of Poitiers, 1356
The Battle of Poitiers, 1356The Battle of Poitiers, 1356
The use of the English defensive position was the use of the longbow.Its arrows had more penetrating power than a bolt from a crossbow.Y Could pierce an
inch of wood or the armor of a knight at 200 yards!
A longbow could be fired more rapidly.Y 6 arrows per
minute.
The Longbow as a Weapon
The Longbow as a Weapon
King Henry V of EnglandKing Henry V of England
Renewed his family’s claim to the French throne.At Agincourt in 1415, the English, led by Henry himself, goaded a larger French army into attacking a fortified English position.Y With the aid of
the dukes of Burgundy, Henry gained control over Normandy, Paris, and much of northern France!
A Burgundian PresenceA Burgundian Presence
Treaty of Troyes (1420)Treaty of Troyes (1420)Charles VI’s son [the future Charles VII], was declared illegitimate and disinherited.Henry V married Catherine, the daughter of Charles VI.Y Henry was declared
the legitimate heir to the French throne!
A final English victory seemed assured, but both Charles VI and Henry V died in 1422.This left Henry’s infant son, Henry VI [r. 1422-1461], to inherit BOTH thrones.
Charles VI
Charles VII
Henry V Catherine
The French “Reconquest”The French “Reconquest”The two kings’ deaths ushered in the final stage of the 100 Years’ War [1422-1453].Y Even though in 1428 the
military and political power seemed firmly in British hands, the French reversed the situation.
In 1429, with the aid of the mysterious Joan of Arc, the French king, Charles VII, was able to raise the English siege of Orleans.Y This began the
reconquest of the north of France.
Joan of Arc (1412-1432)Joan of Arc (1412-1432)
The daughter of prosperous peasants from an area of Burgundy that had suffered under the English.Like many medieval mystics, she reported regular visions of divine revelation.Y Her “voices” told her to
go to the king and assist him in driving out the English.
She dressed like a man and was Charles’ most charismatic and feared military leader!
Siege of Orleans: The Turning Point
Siege of Orleans: The Turning Point
Joan of Arc leads the siege against the English stronghold.Joan is wounded during the battle but her faith and charisma help lead the French to a victory.The first major French success to follow the crushing defeat at Agincourt in 1415.
Cannons Used at Orleans
Cannons Used at Orleans
Joan Announces the Capture of Orleans to
the King
Joan Announces the Capture of Orleans to
the King
Joan of Arc (1412-1432)Joan of Arc (1412-1432)She brought inspiration and a sense of national identity and self-confidence.With her aid, the king was crowned at Reims [ending the “disinheritance”].She was captured during an attack on Paris and fell into English hands.Y Because of her “unnatural dress” and claim
to divine guidance, she was condemned and burned as a heretic in 1432.
Y She instantly became a symbol of French resistance.
The End of the WarThe End of the War
Despite Joan’s capture, the French advance continued.By 1450 the English had lost all their major centers except Calais.In 1453 the French armies captured an English-held fortress at Castillon.Y This was the last battle of the war.
There was not treaty, only a cessation of hostilities.
Timeline of OccupationTimeline of Occupation
The Hundred Years WarThe Hundred Years WarRise of nation-states
Y What is a nation-state? Centralized authority over a state and united by cultural identity.
Y Gives strong national identities to both England and France.
Saw the introduction of new weapons such as the longbow, gunpowder and the cannon. Military tactics would in turn be changed. (No more knights in heavy armor on horseback).
Both countries see the weakening of feudal lords and the rise of peasantry which would eventually lead to a middle class.
Along with the war, plague and famine would lead people to look for answers that the Church could not provide. This shifted people’s thinking and paved the way for the Reformation.
France Becomes a Unified Nation!
France Becomes a Unified Nation!France in 1453
