Medieval States

Viking Invasions & Immediate Effects

Viking migrations ( $8^{th}$ – $11^{th}$ c.) reshaped Western Europe.
Outcomes differed by region:
• England & German lands → consolidation around monarchy.
• France → further breakup of Charlemagne’s empire into duchies, counties, castellanies.

Consolidation of Monarchies

German Empire: strength first visible under Otto I (r. $936$ – $973$ ).
England: centralized after William I’s conquest ( $1066$ ); by $12^{th}$ c. a powerful monarchy.
France: real central power begins with Philip II (Augustus) (r. $1180$ – $1223$ ); shift of continental dominance from Germany to France.

Investiture Conflict (Papal-Imperial Struggle)

Trigger: Emperor Henry IV’s bid to invest bishops (notably Milan).
Pope Gregory VII claimed papal supremacy over all secular rulers.
Prolonged clash $1075$ –Concordat of Worms $1122$ .
Long-term result: German princes gain at emperor’s expense → lasting decentralization.

Consequences for Major States

German Empire: progressive loss of imperial authority (culminates under Frederick II, r. $1212$ – $1250$ ).
France & England: greater success reducing noble independence, dismantling castles, imposing royal law & taxation.
Net effect: Germany fragmented; France & England emerged as highly centralized medieval monarchies.

Church vs. State After $1122$

High point of papal supremacy under Innocent III (r. $1198$ – $1216$ ).
From $13^{th}$ c. onward, rising monarchies increasingly tax clergy & curb papal claims.
Trend: gradual subordination of church institutions to royal governments.

Features of Centralized Medieval States

Royal courts monopolize law, taxation, diplomacy, and military levies.
Revenues sufficient for standing administrations and periodic armies; still weaker than modern states but markedly stronger than earlier feudal polities.

Italian Exception & Path to Renaissance (Preview)

Italy remained highly urban; legacy of Roman cities + growing trade ("commercial revolution").
City-states will exploit economic expansion to develop unique republican/oligarchic institutions → backdrop for the Renaissance (to be covered in subsequent lectures).