In the year 1066, a French general named William the Conquerer crossed the English Channel, fought the Battle of Hastings against King Harold of the Anglo-Saxons, and took control of England. He accomplished this feat only with a great deal of support and assistance from the Barons who served under him.
His son, Henry I inherited the English throne.
Henry's daughter, Matilda, gave birth to another Henry who ascended to the throne.
Henry II was the father of King John I; John was the great great grandson of William the Conquerer.
By the time of John's reign, the Barons had increased dramatically in number and power. The Barons grew to detest John.
In the 1210s the Barons launched a civil war against John and the royals.
The Barons were successful at forcing John to negotiate for peace.
John was forced to agree to sign a document called the MAGNA CARTA, which from that time forward forced the monarchy to share power with the Barons. This system would evolve into an institution called "Parliament," which remains in place today and serves as the prototype for the United States and many other nations.
Today, Parliament has become the practical authority in England. The monarchs have devolved into figureheads--little more than ceremonial celebrities.
In the United States, the executive and legislative branches of government are ideally balanced, with the executive continuing to have military authority, while the legislature has power of the purse and authority to declare war.
DECISION: Of the great military moments in World History that we have already covered, rank the following five in terms of how consequential of a long-term impact they left.
The Hebrew Exodus out of Egypt resulting in the Israelites return to the Holy Land
David's defeat of Goliath, instigating conflict in the Middle east for thousands of years
Caesar's crossing the Rubicon and subsequent assassination
Constantine's conversion to Christianity
The defeat of King John leading to the Magna Carta