Magna Carta

Feudalism

• Political and economic system/ agreement dependent on land ownership and personal loyalty.
• System of landholding and governing Based on mutual obligations - exchange of protection for services

Feudal Pyramid of Power

KING

KNIGHTS

vassals

PEASANTS

NOBLES

PROTECTION and MILITARY SERVICE

MONEY AND KNIGHTS

LAND (fief)

LAND

LAND

and protection

FOOD AND SERVICES

Absolute Monarchy

• Absolute monarchs or kings and queens with complete power
• Devine Right – Belief that this power is derived from God

Feudalism In Europe

• Feudalism started in France
• Feudalism spread from France to Spain, Italy, and later Germany and Eastern Europe.
• In England the Frankish form was imposed by William I (William the Conqueror) after 1066.
• The important features of feudalism were similar throughout

Fact in Fiction: The story of Robin Hood

• Robin Hood was a fictional figure but his nemesis King John was not.

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EQ: What can Disney’s ‘Robin Hood’ tell us about King John?

How fair is this interpretation?

King John

• King John ruled England from 1199 to 1216.
• He came into power while his brother Richard the Lionhearted was away on the 3rd Crusade.

King John

• King John was just as bad as his character in Robin Hood.
• Reputation as being greedy.
• Not popular with people…poor warrior.
• Imprisoned people without trials.
• Some people thought he killed his nephew (Richard I’s son) so he could get the throne after Richard’s death.

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John vs Church

• He fought with the Pope over the selection of the Archbishop
• From 1209 until 1213, the Pope excommunicated King John and banned all church services in England.
• The people feared for their souls!
• John used this as an excuse to take Church land and sell it back to the bishops at a profit.

John vs. France

• John went to war twice against the French king.
• His army was badly beaten both times.
• He lost almost all the land that his father had gained in France

John vs. Barons

• John raised taxes in England to pay for the wars.
• He ordered them to pay far more tax than earlier kings had done!
• He didn’t even consult them. This upset his BARONS!

Barons Rebel

• Barons believed that John could not rule the country properly and was treating them unfairly.
• If someone did not do something the whole country could be ruined
• In 1215 the barons rebelled and forced John to sign the MAGNA CARTA (or great charter).
• The king admitted that he was not above the law and did not have absolute power
• This was the first time anyone had expected an English king to obey a set of rules

The Magna Carta

• I, King John, accept that I have to govern according to the law…..So I agree:
• Not to imprison nobles without trial
• That trials must be in courts; not held in secret (right to a fair trail)
• To have fair taxation for the nobles
• To let freemen travel wherever they like
• Not to interfere in Church matters
• Not to seize property without paying for it
• …. In total there were 63 demands made!!

Why Should I Know This?

• The Magna Carta stands for freedom!
• People have certain rights that cannot be taken away by anyone
• It stands for the only real true rule of law; that no one, not even a king, is above the law.
• It still has major influence on our legal system today and has ensured equality for all citizens under the law.

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The Magna Carta

• The Magna Carta limited the power of the English Monarch
• It implied monarchs could not rule however they wanted
• Two important Clauses:
• King must have the CONSENT of the people to tax
• Due Process of Law: following established legal principles that protect individual rights

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King Edward I & Parliament

• Magna Carta addressed many concerns, but some nobles still not satisfied
• King constantly asked for approval to raise taxes of which they disapproved
• 1295, John’s grandson, would create the Model Parliament with the goal of including the people more in government.

The Creation of Parliament

• The King agreed to include commoners, Church Officials, and Nobles to discuss key issues facing the country of England
• Resulting council developed into English governing body called Parliament
• Parliament Power:
• Had power to create new taxes, advise king on lawmaking
• Edward I strengthened England’s central government, reformed system of laws
• Saw Parliament as tool for strengthening monarchy, not limiting it

Jump Forward a Few Hundred Years…

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• The English Civil War pitted supporters of Charles I against the forces of Parliament, under Oliver Cromwell.
• Cromwell’s army defeated the forces of the king.
• Parliament put Charles on trial and condemned him to death as “a tyrant, traitor, murderer, and public enemy.”

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Out With the King

• After the execution of Charles I, the House of Commons abolished the monarchy, the House of Lords, and the official Church of England.
• It declared England a republic, known as the Commonwealth, under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell.
• This sent a clear signal that, in England, no ruler could claim absolute power and ignore the rule of law.

Democracy

• The creation of Parliament developed the basic ideas of a democratic government.

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Constitution & Magna Carta�

• Magna Carta

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• Protects a Baron’s rights
• Kings are not above the law
• Kings can’t tax without the Great Council’s permission

• Constitution

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• Protects a person’s rights
• No one is above the law
• Presidents can not tax without Congress’s permission