Late Middle Ages: Magna Carta, The Plague, The Hundred Years' War

Rise of Monarchs

• Monarchs increased their power by protecting trade routes and keeping peace.

• England began establishing the Common Law, which is a legal system based on customs and court rulings.

The Magna Carta

• 1215

• Established that the power of the king can be limited by his people

• Three characteristics include:

1. No taxation without representation

2. Right to a trial

3. Jury Trial

The Plague

• The “Black Death” 1347 AD

• 25,000,000 Europeans died from disease

• ⅓ of Europe's population

• Caused starvation, riots, and economic collapse

• Two results of the labor shortage included Lords paying Serfs and Serfs having freedom to leave.

Hundred Years War

• England and France were involved

• The King of England claimed to be the King of France and wanted French land.

• England was victorious at first because it had longbows.

• St. Joan of Arc was the 17 year old girl who led France to victory. She died but became a martyr, inspiring France to fight.

Hundred Years War Effects

• New weapons like the cannon and longbow devalued knights and ended knighthood.

• France’s victory grew powerful as a result of the Hundred Years' War

• Parliament in England grew powerful

• The fall of Constantinople in 1453 marks the end of the Middle Ages