Rise of Nations
Indiana World History Standards
SS.WH.4.8 2007
Explain the causes of the Crusades and their consequences for Europe and Southwest Asia, including the growth in
power of the monarchies in Europe.
Today’s Objectives
- To understand the growth of royal power in Europe
-To understand the role of William the Conqueror in the formation of England
- To understand how English government differed from other European Nations
3
• Royal Power Grows
→ Monarchs stood at the head of society in Europe,
but had limited power
…forced to share with the church and the nobility
→ As European nations develop they move towards strong
central governments headed by monarchs with “absolute”
power
…England will chart a slightly different course
• William the Conqueror
→ Last person to stage a successful invasion of the British
isles (1066)
→ Established feudal system and strong, centralized government
(Monarchy) throughout England for years to come
…required all vassals to swear an allegiance to him
→ Under his rule, start to see the ways of two different groups
of people (Normans & Anglo-Saxons) merge into one “English”
William the Conqueror
• Government of England
→ King John appeases rebellious nobles by signing the
Magna Carta in 1215 after disputes over the power of the king
…guarantees the rights of nobles & citizens
…due process of law & habeas corpus
…leads to the formation of Parliament
…king must receive permission from Parliament to tax nobles
…king must obey the law
→ Sets England apart from the other monarchies in Europe
King John
signs
the Magna
Carta
Essential Question
How did the Magna Carta limit the power of the king in
England?
Target Questions
• Who did the monarchs have to share their power with in
the Middle Ages?
• How did William the Conqueror strengthen his power in
England?
• Why did King John sign the Magna Carta?
Required Reading Question(s)
1) How did monarchy in England differ from the rest of
Europe?