Unit 16: England in the Middle Ages, Part One
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The Artios Home Companion Series Unit 16: England in the Middle Ages, Part One Teacher Overview AS FEUDALISM died out and people began demanding more rights, they naturally encountered opposition from rulers determined to retain their power. King John’s abuses of power stirred the people of England to the point of revolt, and he was at last forced to set his seal to the Magna Carta, a document which established rights for people of all classes and laid the foundation for modern government. Simon de Montfort followed this with the establishment of a council with representative members drawn from the local towns, which paved the way for the elected lawmaking bodies that democratic governments have today. Reading and Assignments In this unit, students will: Complete two lessons in which they will learn about the Magna Carta, and the barons’ wars against Henry III, journaling and answering discussion questions as they read. Define vocabulary words. Visit www.ArtiosHCS.com for additional resources. Leading Ideas Godly rulers are a blessing to the people. When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God, he dawns on them like the morning light, like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning, like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth. — 2 Samuel 23:3-4 Seek godly leaders to represent you. Look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. And let them judge the people at all times. The 1225 version of the Magna Carta issued by Henry III of England — Exodus 18:21-22 Medieval to Renaissance: Middle School Unit 16: England in the Middle Ages, Part One Page 204 Vocabulary Key People, Places, and Lesson 1: Events interdict hallowed King John excommunicated deposed The Signing of the Magna Carta – 1215 fief expedition Great Council levied Henry III Simon de Montfort Lesson 2: Prince Edward calamity Engraved facsimile of the original text of the 1215 Magna Carta, surrounded by a series of 25 coats of hand-colored arms of the barons, panel at foot containing notes and a representation (hand-colored) of the remains of King John’s Great Seal, all panels surrounded by oak leaf and acorn borders Medieval to Renaissance: Middle School Unit 16: England in the Middle Ages, Part One Page 205 L e s s o n O n e History Overview and Assignments The Magna Carta “The Magna Carta established that the King’s power is restricted, and that he could be deposed if he disobeyed the laws it set forth. This great document established the rights of all the people, including churchmen, nobles, and townsmen. Since that day, the Charter has been repeatedly confirmed and now stands as part of the foundation of English law. Its principles are part of the constitution of every English-speaking nation.” – Samuel Bannister Harding Reading and Assignments Review the discussion questions and vocabulary, then read the article: King John and the Great Charter. Narrate about today’s reading using the appropriate notebook page. Be sure to answer the discussion questions and include key people, events, and dates within the narration. Define each vocabulary word in the context of the reading and put the word and its definition in the vocabulary section of your history notebook. Visit www.ArtiosHCS.com for additional resources. Vocabulary King John of England signing Magna Carta on June 15, 1215, interdict at Runnymede; colored wood engraving hallowed deposed fief Key People, Places, and Events expedition King John levied The Signing of the Magna Carta – 1215 excommunicated Great Council Medieval to Renaissance: Middle School Unit 16: England in the Middle Ages, Part One Page 206 Discussion Questions 1. Who had greatest right to the throne 6. What was John’s response to the nobles after the death of King Richard? Whom demand for a charter confirming their did King Richard recommend to the liberties? throne? 7. What did the contents of the Magna 2. Describe King John’s rule. Carta do for the people of England? 3. What eventually happened to Arthur? 8. What are the chief provisions of the 4. Describe the conflict between King John Magna Carta? and the Pope. 9. When King John died, who became King 5. How did the second great struggle of England? between the Pope and King John end? Adapted for Middle School from the book: The Story of England by Samuel Bannister Harding King John and the Great Charter Richard the Lion Heart’s younger bring about political liberty, and to make brother John, who had caused him so much such tyranny impossible for the future. trouble during his absence on the Crusade, First, you must know, within five years succeeded him as King of England and ruler John lost the greater part of England’s of the English possessions in France. possessions in France, including Another brother, named Geoffrey, who was Normandy, the homeland of William the older than John, had died, leaving a son, Conqueror. Arthur, who was now ten years old. Ever since the Norman dukes had ruled According to the rules which today govern England, the kings of France had seized the succession to crowns, Arthur had a every opportunity to stir up trouble in the better right to the throne than John had; but English royal family, in order to weaken the nobles of England, acting on Richard’s these powerful vassals of theirs. Philip recommendation, chose John, who was a Augustus now aided young Arthur in man of full age, in preference to Arthur, who attacking the French possessions of his was but a boy. uncle John. Also, John had injured one of Long before John’s reign was over, every his own vassals in Aquitaine, by seizing and class in the kingdom had cause to repent of carrying off his promised bride, whom John that choice, for King John proved to be one married; and this vassal carried his of the worst rulers that England ever had — grievance to King Philip. Philip summoned cruel, faithless, lazy, and reckless of John to appear before his court and defend everything save his own pleasure. Yet, his himself. When John refused, judgment was very wickedness and tyranny, by spurring given against him, and he was condemned all classes to resistance, helped much to to lose his possessions in France. The Medieval to Renaissance: Middle School Unit 16: England in the Middle Ages, Part One Page 207 judgment was strictly according to feudal The descendants of the conquering law; and with the law now on his side, King Normans and of the conquered English had Philip II set about conquering John’s fiefs. for many years been growing more and In the course of this war, young Arthur more alike, and more and more ready to act was captured and imprisoned by King John, together in all that concerned the kingdom. and soon mysteriously disappeared. There The people during the reigns of Henry II can be no doubt that he was put to death, and Richard had been allowed to carry on and ugly rumors whispered that John had their local governments according to done the wicked deed with his own hands. ancient custom. London, as well as many On every side John’s vassals and followers other towns, had received charters from the deserted him, and Philip made rapid gains. King which permitted them to manage their “Let him go on,” boasted John, while own affairs, and as a result the townsmen doing nothing to prevent this. “Whatever he had become self-reliant and interested in takes, I shall retake it in a single day.” public matters. This was easier said than done. At last Now that the Norman barons were the “Saucy Castle,” built by Richard with so obliged to give up their lands in France, they many pains and much expense, was taken, looked upon themselves as Englishmen. and all of Normandy passed into the hands Thus, when the loss of his Norman of the French. Most of Aquitaine, which lay possessions compelled the King to give his south of the river Loire, remained true to attention solely to England, he found the English rule — not because of any love for nobles and the common people ready to act John, but because the nobles dreaded to together for the interests of the whole lose their independent position if their country. lands were annexed to the French crown, Soon after John’s return to England, the and because of loyalty to John’s mother, Archbishop of Canterbury died, and for Eleanor, their old mistress. nearly eight years afterward John engaged in a great quarrel with the Pope over the filling of the vacancy. The monks of Canterbury had the right to choose the archbishop, but it had been the custom for the King to name the man whom the monks should elect. On this occasion the monks, without consulting John, elected one of their own number and sent him to Rome to be confirmed by the Pope. When John learned what had been done, he compelled the monks to elect Château Gaillard (“Saucy Castle”) another man, a favorite of his own, who also The loss of Normandy seemed to the went to Rome and appealed to the Pope. English people of that day a great disaster, After considering the matter for a year, the but we can see now that it was a good thing Pope declared that neither candidate had for England, as well as for France.