History Alive Medieval World CH 5
What technological advantage helped the English win many early battles of the Hundred Years' War?
the longbow
habeas corpus
the principle that accused persons cannot be held on jail without consent of the court
What was one human activity that contributed to the spread of the bubonic plague?
trading with Asia
Both the plague and the Hundred Years' War had what effect?
They led to a shift in power from feudal lords to common people and monarchs.
What was a major effect of political changes in England in the 1200s?
They weakened feudalism.
Many workers died during the plague. How did their deaths affect those who remained?
They were able to demand better pay and more rights.
How did Europe's economy change after the bubonic plague wiped out so many people?
Workers gained money and power.
What changes did the Magna Carta bring about in English government?
1)A king could no longer collect special taxes without the consent of baron and church officials. 2)"No free man" sould be jailed except by the lawful judgement of his peers or by the law of the land. 3)Introduced the idea that not even the king was above the law.
How did the outbreak of plague in the 14th century contribute to the decline of feudalism in Europe?
1)After the plague, power shifted from novels to common people because the workers who remained could demand pay and more rights. 2)Many serfs abandoned fuedal manors and moved to towns and cities, seeking better opportunities. This weakened both the manor system and fuedal lords.
How did Henry II improve English law?
1)He made sure legal rulings were written down so future judges had guidelines they could follow. 2)He insisted that a jury formally accused a person of a serious crime. 3)People were tried by royal judges and later by juries.
How did the Hundred Years' War contribute to the decline of feudalism?
1)The war shifted power form lords to monarchs and common people. 2)Military technology used in the war made knights and castles less useful. 3)A new feeling of nationalism helped to shift power away from lords and toward kings.
How did these political developments in England contribute to the decline of feudalism in Europe?
1)These political changes strengthened royal authority at the expense of nobles and it strengthened the rights of common people. 2)The Magna Carta limited the power of English Monarchy. 3)Henry II's legal reforms strengthened common law, judges, and juries. 4) Edward I's Model Parliament gave a voice to common people.
Model Parliament
Edward I called together a governing body called the Model Parliament; gave commoners a voice in government.
A historian found a document that included the passage below, knowing only that is was from the 1200s. (In the first place we have granted to God and by this our present charter confirmed for us and our heirs forever, that the English church shall be free..... No sheriff of ours, or other person, shall take the horses or carts of any freeman for transport duty, against the wall of the said freeman. What conclusion could the historian draw based on this passage?
At the time the document was written, freeman had very few rights.
Why were the English able to defeat the French in early battles, such as the one at Crecy?
The English army relied on archers armed with long bows. Arrows fired from long bows flew further faster, and more accurately than those fired from French crossbows.
What was the Model Parliament, and why was it created?
It was an English governing body created by Edward 1st that included commoners clergy, church officials, and novels. It was intended to include more people in government.
What political event in England gave the commoners a voice in their government?
King Edward I's Model Parliament
What was one key result of the signing of the Magna Carta?
Monarchs could not take away anyone's rights and liberties.
What did Joan of Arc do for the French during the Hundred Years' War?
She led a French army to victory in a battle. Her actions inspired many men and women to feel more strongly about their king and nation.
Who was Joan of Arc?
She was a 17 yr old peasant who claimed she heard the voices of saints urging her to save France.
How was the plague spread?
The bacteria that caused wht plague was spread by fleas that lived on rats.
What areas of the world were affected by the spread of the plague in the 14th century?
The plague began in central Asia, possibly in China, and spread throughout China, India, the near East, and Europe.
Why was the plague called the Black Death?
The term probably came from the black spots what appeared on the skin of many victims.
How did the Hundred Years' War start?
The war began when the king of France challenged England's claim to French fiefs.
Bubonic Plague
a deadly contagious disease caused by bacteria and spread by fleas; also called Black Death; trading with Asia contributed to the spread of the bubonic plague; very few workers allowed for better pay and more rights for common people
longbow
a large bow used for firing feathered arrows; helped the English win many battles
crossbow
a medieval weapon made up of a bow that was fixed across a wooden stock and operated by a trigger
heretic
a person who holds beliefs that are contrary to the teachings of a church or other group.
commoner
a person who is not of noble rank; gained power as population declined, rebelled against nobles; commoner's power increased as nobles power decreased
Hundred Years War
a series of wars fought by France and England between 1337 and 1453; led to common people and monarchs gaining more power.
Magna Carta
a written agreement from 1215 that limited the English king's power and strengthened the rights of nobles; monarchs could not take away anyone's rights and liberties
truce
an agreed-upon halt in fighting
Which group lost the most power as a result of the Hundred Years' War?
feudal lords
What did King Henry II's reforms weakened the power of?
feudal lords and clergymen