Bo Moukdarath

History E

Development of Democracy in England and France


By the early 800s, small Anglo-Saxon kingdoms covered the former Roman
province of Britain. In Europe, the decline of the Carolingian Empire in the 900s left a
patchwork of feudal states controlled by local lords. Gradually, the growth of towns and
villages, and the breakup of the feudal system were leading to more centralized
government and the development of nations. The earliest nations in Europe to develop a
strong unified government were England and France. Both would take similar paths. In
the 800s, the developments in England created a great democracy. The developments
were impacts of royal judges, the Magna Carta, and the Model Parliament. In the 900s,
the developments in France also created a great democracy. The developments were
impacts of bailiffs, the Appeals Court, and the Third Estate in the Estates-General.
The development of democracy in England contained major steps and goals of
important people. There were two goals of the English kings, which were trying to
expand the French territory and to strengthen their own power over the nobles and the
church. William the Conqueror was a man who became King of England and strengthens
his power by uniting England, bringing feudalism, bringing Norman culture, and creating
the Domesday Book, which was a great land survey that lasted only 2 years. Henry II had
the largest kingdom ruled by any English king. He took the nobles power by appointing
his men (royal judges), to collect taxes, settle lawsuits, and punish crimes. This was one
of the major steps in the development of democracy. Another major step were juries. It
was a group of loyal people and usually 12 of the neighbors answered a royal judges
questions about the case. Henry II also married a woman named Eleanor of Aquitaine and
together, they brought more land to kings. Englands royal judges formed a unified body
of law that was called the common law. The Magna Carta (the great charter) was a
document drawn up by English nobles and was approved by King John, guaranteed
certain political rights. The rule of the next English king named Edward I created the
Model Parliament. He summoned two burgesses from every borough and two knights
from every county to serve as a legislative group. They went and collected taxes
whenever the king needed it and the Model Parliament was also made to pass laws.
The development of democracy in France also contained major steps and
important people. The major steps included establishing bailiffs (royal judges), creating
the French appeals court, and adding the Third Estate to the Estates-General. Hugh Capet
in the Capetian dynasty, increased the territory of France and this growth of royal power
will unite France. Philip II was one of the most powerful Capetians and he wanted a
strong centralized government by establishing bailiffs and they were royal judges sent to
collect the kings taxes and settle lawsuits. After Philip II died, his grandson Louis IX
ruled. Louis created a French appeals court, which could overturn the decisions of local
courts. These courts strengthened the French monarchy while weakening feudal ties.
After Louis IX died, Philip IV ruled. Philip IV added the Third Estate to the Estates-
General. In France, the Bishops were known as the First Estate, and the Nobles were
known as the Second Estate. The commoners that Philip invited to participate/getting a
say in the government became known as the Third Estate and the whole meeting about
the estates was called the Estates-General. This increased the royal power against the
nobility.
Comparing the developments of England and France, first of all, William the
Conqueror invades England and unites it, as so to Hugh Capet when he increases the
territory of France. In England, Henry II sends royal judges to collect taxes and
introduces the use of jury and Philip II also establish bailiffs which is very similar to
royal judges because they do the same job. And both preside over courts. John of
England agrees to the Magna Carta, a document of political rights and Louis IX creates
the French appeals court. John deals with political rights and on the other hand, Louis
deals with the courts. And as you can see they are not doing the same thing. Edward I in
England calls the Model Parliament made to collect taxes for the king and to pass laws.
And Philip IV adds the Third Estate to the Estates-General to increase power. Both of
these developments increase the kings power because the king gets taxes in England and
the king in France gets more support and money from the commoners.
These developments of England and France decreased the nobles power and
increased the kings power. Both kings have more wealth and power and both England
and France have begun to establish a democratic tradition. The creation of common law
and court systems was a first step toward the increase of power. Including commoners in
the government was also a great step in the democratic rule. In conclusion, the kings of
England and France had their success in weakening feudal ties and increasing their power
by sending royal judges to collect taxes, creating documents to pass laws and to collect
taxes, increasing their land, and having the commoners participate in the government.