England vs. France
Development of Royal Authority (11th–12th Centuries)
- Norman Impact
- After 1066, William I merged Anglo-Saxon administrative systems with Norman feudalism, creating a highly organized royal government earlier than in France.
- Common Law
- By the 12th century, especially under Henry II, England developed a uniform legal system (common law) applied across the realm, reducing the legal power of individual lords.
- Written Records
- England’s monarchy made heavy use of written documentation i.e. the Domesday Book (1086), royal writs, court records. These ensured clear royal control over taxation, justice, and feudal obligations.
- Royal Officials
- Sheriffs enforced royal law locally, ensuring the king’s presence was felt even in distant shires.
France’s Gradual Integration
- Territorial Patchwork
- In the early Capetian period, the king’s authority was strongest only in the Île-de-France.
- Personal Loyalty
- Power relied heavily on feudal bonds and the personal relationship between king and vassals rather than a centralized bureaucracy.
- Slow Expansion
- Kings like Louis VI, Louis VII, and especially Philip II gradually expanded royal lands (royal demesne) through marriage, inheritance, purchase, and war.
- Regional Autonomy
- Many provinces maintained local laws and customs until they were more tightly integrated into the royal administration.
The Church as a Source of Legitimacy
- Shared Approach
- Both monarchies relied on the Church to legitimize their rule.
- Kings styled themselves as God’s chosen rulers.
- England
- Close cooperation with archbishops and bishops, but also tension when kings sought to limit papal influence (e.g., Henry II and Thomas Becket).
- France
- Used the Church to unify the realm spiritually, promote royal authority, and counterbalance the power of rebellious nobles. Philip II skillfully aligned with papal policies when it suited his goals.
Exam technique
- Frame your answers by directly comparing administrative, legal, and territorial developments in both kingdoms.
- Study vocabulary: Domesday Book, common law courts, sheriff system for England, territorial acquisitions under Philip II, bailiffs in France.
- Show how military, administrative, and religious factors interacted.
- Tie English developments to the Angevin Empire.
- Connect French expansion to the loss of Normandy by England.
Common Mistake
- Treating France and England as developing at the same pace. England was more centralized earlier.
- Ignoring the role of geography. England’s island location made centralization easier, while France’s size and diversity slowed it.
- Overlooking the role of individual monarchs. Reforms were often personality-driven.
Historiography
- David Carpenter: Emphasizes the administrative sophistication of the English monarchy post-1066 as a key reason for its early centralization.
- John Baldwin: Argues that Philip II’s reign was the turning point for the French monarchy’s shift toward centralization.
- Marc Bloch: Highlights the persistence of feudal customs in France despite growing royal power.
Self review
- To what extent did the Norman Conquest accelerate the development of a centralized monarchy in England compared to the slower growth of Capetian royal authority in France?
- How significant were written records and common law in strengthening English royal authority, and why did France rely more heavily on personal loyalty and feudal bonds during the same period?
- In what ways did the Church both support and limit the power of monarchs in England and France during the 11th and 12th centuries?
