The High Middle Ages
Section 5: Wars and the Growth of Nations
In this section:
You will find out how the Hundred Years’ War affected England and France.
You will learn how Spain’s rulers both strengthened and weakened their nation.
You will also discover why the Holy Roman Empire remained weak throughout the later Middle Ages.
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Focus Questions
1. Why did the Hundred Years’ War begin and what were its results?
2. How would you support the view that France grew as a nation after the Hundred Years’ War?
3. How did Ferdinand and Isabella’s policies both help and hurt Spain?
4. Why were emperors unable to unite the Holy Roman Empire?
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Vocabulary
Hundred Years’ War: War between France and England for the French throne
War of the Roses: War between the York and Lancaster families for the English throne
Henry Tudor: Member of the House of Lancaster who defeated Richard III of York in the War of the Roses to become England’s King Henry VII
Joan of Arc: French girl who, at the age of fourteen, led French troops into battle against the English and defeated them; later was burned at the stake by the English and is now a Catholic saint
Louis XI: French king after Charles VII who strengthened the French monarchy and united France
Ferdinand: King of Spain who united Spain into a nation and defeated the Moors, husband of Isabella
Isabella: Queen of Spain who united Spain into a nation and defeated the Moors, wife of Ferdinand
Habsburg: Powerful European family who became emperors of the Holy Roman Empire
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The High Middle Ages
Section 5: Wars and the Growth of Nations
In 1328 the last male member of France’s Capetian dynasty died. Edward III of England
claimed the French throne. The French assembly chose Philip VI of Flanders as king
instead. Edward started the Hundred Years’ War between France and England. England
won many battles but lost the war.
The Hundred Years’ War saw the use of new weapons. English longbows could
kill knights on horseback 200 yards away. Both sides used gunpowder and cannons. The
war also increased the power of the English House of Commons. Its members won the
right to advise the king and consider all new taxes.
After the Hundred Years’ War, two royal families fought for England’s throne. The
War of the Roses was between the House of York, whose emblem was the white rose, and
the House of Lancaster, whose emblem was the red rose. Henry Tudor of Lancaster
defeated Richard III of York. As King Henry VII he set up a strong monarchy.
France suffered during the Hundred Years’ War. English soldiers robbed the
people and destroyed property. Many French starved. An internal fight broke out in the
French royal family. The House of Burgundy sided with the English. Finally, Charles VII
of the House of Orléans became king with the help of Joan of Arc. Believing God had
spoken to her, she left home at age fourteen to aid the French king. In 428 she led French
troops to victory against the English. She was captured by the English, accused of heresy,
and burned at the stake.
During the war, the French representative assembly, the Estates General,
controlled finances and passed laws. After the war, it lost power to Louis XI, who
followed Charles VII. Louis XI strengthened the monarchy and set up a harsh but efficient
government with high taxes. He seized the lands of the House of Burgundy and united the
country, reducing the power of French lords.
Spain became a united nation under Ferdinand and Isabella. In 1492 their army
captured the last stronghold of the Moors. Ferdinand and Isabella took power away from
church courts and from the nobles. In 1492 they ordered all Jews to become Christians or
leave Spain. Later they gave Moors the same choice. Most Jews and Moors left, robbing
Spain of leaders of industry and trade.
The Holy Roman Empire remained divided into independent states. The emperors
had given up much of their power in return for military support. In 1273 a member of the
Habsburg family became emperor. The Habsburgs ruled a state in what is now
Switzerland They gained power through marriages and careful strategies of armed
conquest. The Habsburgs became the most powerful family in Europe, but they could not
unite the Holy Roman Empire. German princes refused to surrender power. In Italy, the
Papal States, ruled by the pope, stretched across the middle of the peninsula, blocking
efforts to bring all of Italy under centralized control.
Answers to the focus questions above
1. Why did the Hundred Years’ War begin and what were its results?
The Hundred Years’ War began when Edward III of England
claimed title to the French throne. England won many battles but
lost the war and most of its French lands. The war saw the use of
new weapons, including gunpowder and cannons.
2. How would you support the view that France grew as a nation after the Hundred Years’ War?
France grew as a nation after the Hundred Years’ War in that the
feudal lords lost power and the French monarchy became very
HRW/World History ©2003 Self-Check Answer Key/Chapter 14/page 8
strong. Louis XI seized the lands of the House of Burgundy and
united France under royal control.
3. How did Ferdinand and Isabella’s policies both help and hurt Spain?
Ferdinand and Isabella’s policies helped Spain by defeating the
Moors and uniting Spain under a strong monarchy. But they
ordered Jews and Moors to choose between converting to
Christianity and leaving Spain. This discriminatory policy led to
the loss of Spain’s leaders in industry and trade because most Jews
and Moors left.
4. Why were emperors unable to unite the Holy Roman Empire?
Emperors were unable to reunite the Holy Roman Empire because
they lacked the power needed to exercise complete control over
areas ruled by strong nobles, such as the independent princes of
Germany. In Italy, the Papal States, ruled by the pope, stretched
across the middle of the peninsula, blocking efforts to bring all of
Italy under centralized control.