Unit 2. The origin of European States

Question 1

966

Answer 1

**First regency **in European History

Ramiro III inherit the throne of the Spanish Kingdom of Leon being minor

Question 2

978

Answer 2

Appears the word princeps to designate the heir of the throne.

The first in the line of succession.

Ramiro III of León designates his uncle Virmundus as his successor naming him “princeps” (Virmundus Serenissimus Princeps). The monarchy of Leon becomes hereditary

Question 3

1188

Answer 3

Cortes of León. For the first time the citizens are convened in a Kings assembly with the nobles and the bishops.

The Cortes represent the realm.

Question 4

1151

Answer 4

Death of Abbot Suger of Saint Denis

First intellectual to distinguished for the first time, between the crown as a concept and the king as a person, a historian who described feudal soicety as a pyramid at whose apex stood the king of France, whose suzerainty prevailed over that of all other lords.

Question 5

1166

Answer 5

Assize of Clarendom.** Henry II of England** transforms procedure and the Court system all over his kingdom.

He took the initiative of forming the legal system of “Common Law” (because it was the same for the whole kingdom) through the creation of royal courts and important legislative reforms.

Question 6

1215

Answer 6

Magna Charta is imposed by the barons to the king of England John Lackand

Question 7

1223

Answer 7

Death of Philip II Augustus, the first to be referred as “Rex Franciae”, instead of “Rex Francorum”, the traditional title.

French monarchy becomes “territorial”.

Question 8

1265

Answer 8

For the first time ordinary citizens are convened into a Parliament’s meeting with nobles and bishops by the English nobleman Simon of Monfort in open rebellion against the king. Edward I would consolidate the principle.

Question 9

1270

Answer 9

Death of Louis IX of France, Saint Louis.

Inspired by the Roman concept of imperium, his jurists contended for the first time that the King of France prevailed over all lords because he was “sovereign”.

Question 10

1284

Answer 10

Death of Alfonso X the Wise (king of Castile since 1252)

He is the first king that creates law in Europe without the acceptance of the States Assemblies (Cortes). On the basis of the Roman and canon law traditions studied at European universities, he creates complex legal texts such as the Fuero Real (Royal Law), El Espéculo, and, best known of all, Las Partidas.

Question 11

1302

Answer 11

First meeting of the French Estates General, convened by **Philip IV the Fair **as the representation of the realm, who asks for aid to fight against the pope.

Question 12

1307

Answer 12

Death of Edward I of England (king from 1272), called the English Justinian, as he was a great legislator.

Question 13

1348

Answer 13

Alfonso XI of Castile in the Cortes of Alcala enhances royal authority by giving preeminence to Royal acts over Local customs and creating the figure of a permanent representative of the king in Castilian towns: the “Corregidor”. (Ordinance of Alcalá).

Question 14

1390

Answer 14

Death of John I, king of Castile since 1379, the first king in European history to affirm he rules based on his absolute royal power.

Question 15

1513

Answer 15

First edition of Machiavelli’s book The Prince

Question 16

1521

Answer 16

At the battle of Villalar Charles I (1517-1559) defeats the Army of Castillian cities (Comunidades) consolidating absolute power of the king in Castile.

Question 17

1547

Answer 17

Death of Henry VIII, King of England since 1509. A king that controlled Parliament, used prerogative courts and governed with his privy council.

Question 18

1576

Answer 18

First edition of Jean Bodin’s work The Six Books of the Commonwealth, advancing the idea of sovereignty.

Question 19

1598

Answer 19

Death of Philip II, king of Spain since 1556. He was the most powerful monarch of his time.

Question 20

1603

Answer 20

Death of Elizabeth I Queen of England since 1558, who was a monarch as strong as his father Henry VIII.

Question 21

1624

Answer 21

Cardinal Richelieu becomes Chief Minister to Louis XIII.

He will consolidate the Royal Power in France.

Question 22

1649

Answer 22

Beheading of Charles I of England by order of Cromwell

Question 23

1651

Answer 23

First edition of Thomas Hobbes book The Leviathan

A theoretical justification of Absolute Monarchy

Question 24

1661

Answer 24

Louis XIV of France comes of age. Until his death in 1715 he will be the parangon of Absolute ruler