5.6 - It's good to be the king

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It's good to be the king

Today

How did kings try to gain power in the Late Middle Ages?

We'll keep things basic. What do you need to know for your test?

What was the feudal system?

The feudal system didn't work so well, why?

What do you think a 'central government' is? Guess, don't use Google.

Notes

Take notes

Type or write

Central government

A system where power is located in one place/with one person.

Kings try to become more powerful, they dislike how the feudal system has split their kingdom up. 

en.wikipedia.org

How did kings try to do this?

They tried to take power away from their vassals: 

1. Start a capital city and make vassals visit you

2. Use one book of law in the entire country

3. Allow one religion in the entire country

4. Use mercenary armies instead of vassals armies

5. Use civil servants instead of vassals

Tax money from new cities helped pay for this

Philip the Good, a good example

Philip the Good: duke of Burgundy who started a central government in the Netherlands. 

He tried getting rid of privileges (special rules or exceptions)

Why? His family had a lot of land which was very spread out, it was hard to keep their vassals in check.

Dutchy of Burgundy under Philip the Good

Assignment: create a table in Word or your Notebook. Put all the ways to create a central government on the left. Use the right part of the table to write down how this takes power away from the vassals. Like this: 

Central government:                                                                 Takes power away from the vassal because:  

1. Start a capital city and make vassals visit you

2. Use one book of law in the entire country

3. Allow one religion in the entire country

4. Use mercenary armies instead of vassals armies

5. Use civil servants instead of vassals

Lets go!