第2章 封建社会
2.1 复习笔记
I. The Norman Conquest and Its Consequence
1. The Norman Conquest
2. Its Consequence
II. The Consolidation of Monarchy
III. The Great Charter
IV. The Beginning of Parliament
I. The Norman Conquest and Its Consequence (诺曼征服和它的影响)
1. The Norman Conquest (诺曼征服)
(1) The Battle of Hastings paved the way for the conquest of England.
(2) On Christmas Day 1066 Duke William known in history as William the’ Conqueror was crowned in Westminster Abbey.
(1) 黑斯廷斯战役为诺曼底公爵威廉征服英格兰铺平了道路。
(2) 1066年圣诞节,“征服者威廉”在威斯敏斯特教堂加冕。
2. Its Consequence (影响)
(1) Feudalism was finally established in England.
(2) William the Conqueror established a strong monarchy in England.
(3) In 1086 William the Conqueror made a general survey of the land, known as the Domes day.
(4) After the conquest William retained most of the old English customs of government.
(5) Along with the Normans came the French.
(1) 封建制度在英国确立。
(2) 征服者威廉建立了强大的君主政体。
(3) 1086年,征服者威廉进行了土地普查,颁布了法案。
(4) 威廉保留了英国政府的很多旧体制。
(5) 诺曼征服把法语带到了英国。
II. The Consolidation of Monarchy (君主政体的巩固)
1. Henry Plantagenet, in 1154, established the House of Plantagenet as Henry II.
2. During the reign of Henry II, the power of the crown was intensified.
(1) The Royal powers of justices were greatly expanded.
(2) Alongside the reforms, skilled trade, commerce, agriculture and the arts all now made rapid progress.
(3) Henry II wanted to restore the relationship between church and state, but failed.
1. 1154年,亨利二世建立了金雀花王朝。
2. 亨利二世统治期间,王权进一步加强。
(1) 王权进一步扩大。
(2) 伴随着改革,贸易,商业,农业和艺术都取得了迅速的发展。
(3) 亨利二世试图改变教堂和国家的关系,但是以失败告终。
III. The Great Charter (大宪章)
1. John signed the document in 1215, which in history was called-the ‘Magna Carta’ or the “Great Charter”.
2. The Great Charter was essentially a feudal document. It was made in the interests of the feudal lords. Nevertheless, it had a progressive significance.
1. 1215年,约翰签署大宪章。
2. 大宪章本质上属于封建性质,维护了封建领主的利益。但是,它具有非常重大的历史意义。
IV. The Beginning of Parliament (议会的雏形)
In 1265, Simon de Montfort called Parliament. It was the first time that representatives of both the counties and towns were called to attend Parliament. The Parliament of 1265 is generally considered the “beginning of parliament”.
1265年,蒙特福特召开议会。这是英国历史上第一个由郡和镇代表同时参加的会议。这次会议被称为是“议会的开始”。
2.2 课后习题详解
Exercise 1. Answer the following questions:
1. What were the consequences of the Norman conquest?
Key: (1) The Norman Conquest caused important consequences. It increased the process of feudalism, which had begun during Anglo-Saxon times. By the early part of 12th century, the manor system had replaced the village system completely, and Feudalism was finally established in England.
(2) William the Conqueror established a strong monarchy in England. The feudal system of England acquired a more centralized character than in other European countries of the time.
(3) It brought about changes in the church. The upper ranks of the clergy were Normanized and feudalized, following the pattern of lay society.
(4) Along with the Norman came the French language, which would be the language of court and upper classes until the 14th century.
2. In what ways did Henry II consolidate the monarchy?
Key: Henry II took some measures to consolidate the monarchy.
Firstly, he carried out a serious of reforms to strengthen his power. He strengthened the Great Council. But the most important step is to reform the law courts, which reduced the influence of local barons on the law court system. The reform of law courts led to the emergence of common law.
Secondly, he greatly strengthened the Court and extended its judicial work. He divided the whole country into six circuits and appointed justices to each. During his reign, a common law was gradually established in place of the previous laws of the local barons. He also introduced a new jury system to replace the old ordeal-based trial system. Besides, he shifted the trial of clergymen charged with criminal offenses from the Bishop’s court to the King’s court.
Thirdly, as for the administration, the major reform of his reign was the Inquest of Sheriffs in 1170. Inquiries were instituted into the details of local administration. This led to dismissal of many sheriffs, especially those in shires in which local barons had become too great in the control of their offices. In 1181, Henry II issued the Assize of Arms, therefore, he relied for armed support upon a militia composed of English freemen.
3. What were the contents and the nature of the Great Charter?
Key: Contents: (1) the king was not to exact extra payments from the feudal vassals without their consent; (2) laws were not to be modified by the arbitrary action of the king; (3) If the king should attempt to free himself from law, the vassals had the right to force the king to obey it, by civil war or by otherwise.
Nature: It was essentially a feudal document. It was made in the interests of feudal lords, great and small.
4. Why and how did the English parliament come into being?
Key: The English Parliament originated in the Great Council, an advisory assembly of the king’s chief feudal vassals, including the clergy. The main purpose of the king’s summoning parliament was to get consent for taxation. The king, Henry III wanted to defeat the lords and their charter. He took some measures, such as dismissing his justiciar, etc. So the baron rose up in opposition. Led by Simon de Montfort, the King’s brother-in-law, they forced the king to dismiss his foreign advisers and accept their own council of advisers instead. In 1264 Montfort defeated the royal army and took the king prisoner. In the following year he called Parliament, which is known as the “All Estates Parliament”. The Parliament of 1265 is generally considered “the beginning of parliament”.
Exercise 2. Explain the following terms:
1. William, the Conqueror
Key: He was the Duke of Normandy and King William I of England. In 1066 in the Battle of Hastings he defeated English King Harold I. On Christmas Day of the same year Duke William known in history as William the Conqueror was crowned in Westminster Abbey. He established a strong monarchy in England. In 1086 William the Conqueror had his officials to go through England to make a general survey of the land, known as Domesday Book. He retained most of the Old English customs of government.
2. the Battle of Hastings
Key: The battle took place in 1066, nine miles from Hastings between Duke William’s army and the King, Harold’s army. Harold was killed and his army completely defeated. The Battle of Hastings paved the way for the conquest of England.
3. Henry II
Key: He was king of England from 1154 to 1189. Henry Plantagenet established the House of Plantagenet in 1154 as Henry II. During his reign the power of the crown was intensified further. And he made a serious of reforms, such as the Inquest of Sheriffs; he enforced a common law, and issued the Assize of Arms. On the issue of the relationship between church and state he clashed with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket. Later the barons rose in revolt and his sons in France took up against him. After crushing all the revolts Henry II died in 1189.
4. the Assize of Arms
Key: It was issued in 1181 by Henry II. It was compulsory for every freeman in England to be provided with arms. Those arms were used only when their owner was called out for national service by the king’s command.
5. the Great Charter
Key: It was a feudal document signed by King John (the Lackland) in 1215. Under great pressure, King John granted the list of demands that the bishops, the barons and the townsmen had drawn up. It contained three sets of provisions and made some restriction to the King’s power. It was made in the interests of the feudal lords and was a feudal document. It has been regarded as the “corner stone” of English history.
6. All Estates Parliament
Key: In 1265, Simon de Montfort called Parliament. Besides the usual lords and churchmen, it included knights form each county and representatives from each borough. It was the first time that representatives of both the counties and towns were called to attend Parliament. Therefore, the Parliament of 1265 is known as the “All Estates Parliament” and is considered the beginning of Parliament.
7. Model Parliament
Key: King Edward I was engaged in wars with Wales, Scotland and he needed a lot of money. In 1295 he summoned the “All Estates Parliament” which included more than 400 members. This is considered a model for all succeeding ones, and it has been known in history as the “Model Parliament”.