Growth of Royal Power in England and France

By 18tyoegel
  • Jan 1, 1066

    Angolo-Saxon King Edward dies without heir

    This created a rivalry of power between Harold and the Duke William of Normandy, which led to warfare including "The Battle of Hastings", where William and his Norman knights triumphed
  • Dec 31, 1066

    William the Conqurer Assumed the Crown of England

    A blending of Norman French and Anglo-Saxon customs, languages, and traditions occurred throughout England because of this.
  • Jan 1, 1086

    Domesday Book is Published

    This census helped create a more efficient system of tax collection.
  • Nov 8, 1154

    Henry Inherits the Throne

    He broadened the system of royal justice and the decisions of the royal courts became the foundation of England common law; established a jury system
  • Jan 1, 1170

    Archbishop Thomas Beckett is murdered

    Beckett fiercely opposed Henry’s growth of royal power, and became a martyr for the church
  • Jan 1, 1215

    King John Signs the Magna Carta

    This required that the monarch must obey the law & all English citizens had rights; also established our “due process” clause
  • Jan 1, 1223

    Philip Augustus Dies

    He became the most powerful ruler in Europe
  • Jan 1, 1226

    Louis IX ascends the French throne

    Became a saint and left France as an efficient centralized monarchy
  • Jan 1, 1293

    Louis IX’s grandson Philip IV gains power

    Led to serious clash with Pope Boniface VIII; Ultimately leads to the papal court being moved to Avignon

  • Hugh Capet is elected to fill the French throne

    The Capets built an effective bureaucracy and be enforcing order gained the support of the new middle class of townspeople