The Weakening of Feudalism

England

King Henry II Ruled from 1154 to

1189 Made legal reform a

central concern of his reign

Ruled that juries must formally accuse a person of a serious crime

Strengthened royal authority

Constitutions of Clarendon The document spelled out the king’s traditional

rights. The king had the right to try clergy accused of

serious crimes in royal courts. Upset the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas

Becket, the kings friend.

The Magna Carta In June 1215 King

John met with barons and put a seal on the “Great Charter.”

John agreed to observe common law and the traditional rights of barons and the church.

The Magna Carta John also agreed that

– He would consult the barons and church officials before imposing special taxes

– “no free man” could be jailed except by lawful judgment of peers or by the law of the land

The Magna Carta *Protected the rights and privileges of nobles*Limited Kings*Eventually extended rights to commoners

Model Parliament Established by King

Edward I Included

commoners and lower ranking clergy as well as church officials

These were steps to include more people in English government.

The Game Changer/ The Watershed Moment:

The Bubonic Plague

A Plague!!! Struck Europe

from 1347 to 1351

Began in central Asia and spread along the Silk Road

Over a third of the population of Europe died– 25 million people– Some say 40-50%

Carried by fleas on the backs of rats

The Black Death Victims

showed black and blue blotches on their skin after being infected.

Living conditions contributed to the spread of the plague.

It was so bad… Transferred

through trade & interaction

Caused people to question the Church/God

MASSIVE DEATH– Whole communities– Spared no one nor

any social class

Review1) Put these events in chronological

order• The Hundred Years’ War• The Magna Carta• The Bubonic Plague

2) What did the Magna Carta protect?

3) List two reasons for the English victory at the Battle of Crecy.

4) What trading route did the bubonic plague spread through?

5) What are two reasons for the shift of power away from feudal lords after The Hundred Years’ War?

6) Who took part in the Model Parliament of Edward I in 1295?

7) Why was the bubonic plague known as the Black Death?