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DO NOW. What rights are guaranteed to you as citizens of the United States? How would your life be different if these rights were not guaranteed-if government officials could rule however they pleased?. The Christian Church. Position in Medieval Society: Source of stability/leadership
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DO NOW What rights are guaranteed to you as citizens of the United States? How would your life be different if these rights were not guaranteed-if government officials could rule however they pleased?
The Christian Church • Position in Medieval Society: • Source of stability/leadership • Broad political powers • Leading landowner • Very wealthy • Hierarchy • Pope: supreme authority • Cardinals: pope’s advisers and electors
The Christian Church Con’d • Powers • Tithe: tax equaling 1/10 of a Christian’s income • Excommunication: kicking out heretics from the church, promising eternal damnation • Interdict: Excommunication of an entire region • Law: canon law • Problems: • Nobles appointing friends/relatives to high church positions • Charged high fees for church services
Magna Carta “The Great Charter”
William the Conqueror • Struggle for power between lords/kings • Resulted in two new kingdoms: England and France • People of England: Anglo-Saxons • 1065: Anglo-Saxon king dies • English duke takes the throne: William the Conqueror (1066-1087) • Brought feudalism from France • Laid foundation for strong monarchy in England
King John Successor of William the Conqueror 1215: demands that nobles pay higher taxes to support wars in France Nobles force K.J. to sign Magna Carta
Magna Carta • Protected liberties of the nobles • Provided basic outline of rights • No new taxes without consent of nobles/church leaders • Juries • Significance: • King must adhere to document or face being overthrown • Basis for key democratic ideals: limits on executive power