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High Middle Ages. English Government. Qualities of a King. What do you think are the three most important qualities for a king to possess? Take a minute and write them down Then share with a partner. England after William I. Many civil wars Problems with successions
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High Middle Ages English Government
Qualities of a King • What do you think are the three most important qualities for a king to possess? • Take a minute and write them down • Then share with a partner
England after William I • Many civil wars • Problems with successions • French claims to the English throne • Henry II becomes king in 1154 • Solves problems with civil wars in England and Normandy with peace treaty
Henry II’s reign • Gained land • Legal reform • Centralized, royal laws • Grand jury • Trial by jury • Church reform • Wanted to decrease papal power and increase royal power • Thomas Becket • Disagreements on church authorities legal rights
Richard I • Richard the Lionheart • Took the throne militarily • Crusader • Kidnapped on his return • Militarily strong but not the best leader
John • Richard’s brother • Was not militarily successful • Constant demand for money • Lost land to France in 1204 • Broke feudal laws and customs • Passed more taxes without barons permission • Disagreement with the Pope • Wanted to select the replacement archbishop in England • Pope retained that duty • John was excommunicated • Over stepping his bounds
Magna Carta • Signed on June 15, 2015 • John was forced to sign • Limited the power of the king • Laid the groundwork for democracy in Europe • Established Parliament in England • Council of advisors the King was required to consult
Magna Carta cont. • Basic Principles: • King could not raise taxes without approval from a council of nobles and clergy • Would later become Parliament • King needed just cause to arrest people or confiscate land • Haebeas Corpus • To be sent to jail you had to be convicted by a jury • The King was not above the law
Agree or Disagree? 1. The English Church will be free. 2. A widow will inherit her husband’s possessions. She won’t need to marry again. 3. All cities and towns will be free. 4. Poor people will not have to pay very large fines for small crimes. 5. Sheriffs will not take people’s possessions without permission. 6. There will be only one measure for corn and one measure for beer. 7. Every man or woman will have a fair trial. 8. Towns will not have to build bridges over rivers. 9. Sheriffs will know the law and will be fair. 10. Daughters of rich families will not be married to poor families. And life in England will be fair Are some of these laws still valued today? Are they outdated?
Relevance Today • There are two main points of the Magna Carta that are still relevant today. • Firstly, the fact that everyone is equal under the law is very important in our legal system today. What once applied to kings still applies to our politicians. • It ensures that no person can gain unlimited power in our society. • The other part of the Magna Carta that still carries heavy influence is the rule that no person shall be imprisoned or judged without a fair trial. • This has become the basis for our legal system in the United States, and gives everyone a chance to attempt to prove their innocence.
Magna Carta Worksheet • Complete the questions using your notes and the your own research • Answers do not need to be complete sentences • Due on Thursday February 6