What is Monarchic Power?
History: KS3, topic 7.4.1
What is Monarchic Power?
The power of the monarch was supported by the feudal system but he still had to work with Parliament to create new laws and raise taxes.
Feudal system
- The feudal system was the foundation of monarchic power.
- This is a hierarchical system where the King is at the top of society and is the most powerful as he owns all the land.
- He gives out rewards such as land and titles to his noblemen or barons, in return for their loyalty.
Barons
- Barons then gave some of this land to the knights in return for military service.
- By the 14th century, barons and knights were both being called Lords.
Position of peasants
- Peasants worked the land for their lords, and some peasants were villeins.
- Villeins were forced into serfdoms, where they were nearly totally controlled by their lords and had to provide service in return for land and protection.
King's position in feudal system
- As the King is at the top of the feudal system, the whole system supports the power of the monarchy.
King and parliament
- Although the King was at the top of the feudal system, the King had to work with parliament to create new laws and raise taxes.
Composition of parliament
- Parliament was made up of barons, knights, bishops and townsmen.
- There were two knights from each shire and two townsmen from each town.
Parliament division
- By the 13th century, there was a divide in parliament between the common people and the Lords (barons and bishops).
- This is where we get out modern House of Lords and House of Commons from.
Power of parliament
- If parliament (which represented everyone in society apart from peasants) supported the King, it showed that most of society did too.
- However, due to the feudal system, it would be very difficult for a Lord to go against what the King wanted in parliament, as he could lose his land.
Test yourself on What is Monarchic Power?
By the 14th century, what were barons and knights being called?
How did the feudal system work?