English Monarchy

William the Conqerer

onquered England and brings new institutional developments.  He imports French feudalism to England. The English form of feudalism is slightly different in that feudal lords could not gain the same kind of power; only collectively could feudal lords challenge the king’s authority. 

Henry I

Becomes king when his unpopular older brother is “accidently” killed while hunting. He continued many of his brothers unpopular policies but was a far more effective ruler and administrator. Additional institutional ideas emerge from him, who created the position of exchequer, an office that kept track of every piece of revenue in the royal coffers. Europe now has accountants!

Henry II

Becomes king when his unpopular older brother is “accidently” killed while hunting. He continued many of his brothers unpopular policies but was a far more effective ruler and administrator. Additional institutional ideas emerge from him, who created the position of exchequer, an office that kept track of every piece of revenue in the royal coffers. Europe now has accountants!

King John

The younger brother of Richard the Lionheart, is considered the worst king in English history.

He was defeated in his 3 major conflicts:

1. War with France:  WAR WITH KING PHILIP OF FRANCE. BY 1214, HAD LOST MOST OF ENGLANDS LAND IN FRANCE.

2. Conflict with the Pope: A. DISPUTED ELECTION OF NEW ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY.

B. POPE INNOCENT III AUTHORZED PHILIP TO INVADE ENGLAND AND DESPOSE JOHN. 

C. JOHN GIVES IN AND RECOGNIZES ENGLAND AND IRELAND AS FIEFS TO THE POPE.

3. Magna Carta: John was forced to sign by the English Barons. (1215). It created 3 aspects of English law:

1. Taxation by consent. 2. Fair trial. 3. Representative government.

Edward I

The English king struggled to raise funds during his reign as a result of numerous military expeditions including a crusade, wars with France, Wales, and Scotland. He tried to tax the Church in order to fund an invasion of Scotland, an idea that almost him excommunicated.  In response, he gathered influential clergy, nobles, and townspeople and began the Parliament, an attempt to gain public favor for his tax requests.  The original Parliament served as a body to approve or disapprove royal requests for taxes.