Rise of the Monarchies
Rise of the Monarchies The Capetians Hugh Capet ruled only a small area between the Seine and Loire Rivers. He Ruled France for 300 years, when he died the Capetian kings who followed him for the next 100 years were weak and did little to increase royal power and Louis VI, known as “Louis the fat”, became king. He helped to increase the authority of the monarchy in several ways He discharged nobles who did not fulfill their feudal duties and replaced them with loyal persons of lawless vassals. He also granted charters of freedom to many towns, thus winning the loyalty of the townspeople. William The Conqueror In 1066 William led an army of 5000 Norman archers and knights across the sea to England. They met another army in battle near Hastings, a town just south of London. Harold’s army made a wall of shields on the edge of a low hill. William knew he could not break through the wall. So he had his soldiers pretending to retreat. So the army gives up and William defeated Harold’s army.