Homage of the king Henri II of England to king de France
National library of Paris
Concept of public authorityOne of the characteristics of the central period of the Middle Ages, between XIe and XIIIe century, is the structuring of the Western States. Admittedly, the concept of State is yet only in gestation, but the idea that the king must control for the community property affirms more and more. The concept of public authority progresses along XIIIe century; thus is explained the increasing role of the assemblies of control, States, Parliaments, the Cortes, which, according to the countries, balance a monarchical power consolidated by the principle dynastic, legitimated by the sacring and pressed on the Church. In England
In England, the balance of power is established in the middle of violent one conflicts. The victory of Guillaume with Hastings in 1066 opens the Island saxonne with colonization and feudality Normans. In 1154, the seizure of power by Plantagenêts provides the foundations of a three centuries scenario of war between France and England.
In France
Successes of monarchy capétienne are confirmed tardily, in France. Hugues Capet, still battling against the feudal ones, does not have for him that will have it of its sacring. Its successors, of Robert the Piles with Philippe I er, have for only concern of ensuring the dynasty. It is necessary to await Philippe Auguste (1180-1223) and his victories over England and the Empire (Bouvines in 1214) to see to affirm the independence of the kingdom of France and the control of the local authorities thanks to the institution of the royal baillifs.
The radiation and piety personnel of Louis IX, canonized to the XIII E century, carry royal prestige to its roof. The king endeavors to moralize feudal manners and tries to return to justice a detached equity of any pressure. The investigators charged to inventory the abuses in the kingdom play a big role in the training of the monarchical mystic.
In Hungary
Christianized to the XI E S, feudal Hungary manages to maintain its national independence. In spite of the gold Bubble, conceded by the king André II in 1222, who reinforces the power of the tycoons, the monarchical tradition preserves all its strength.
In Spain
The small Christian kingdoms of the North of Spain - Asturies, Castille, Aragon and Navarre - continue since VIIIe century the fight against the Moslems, Masters of the caliphate of Cordoue and the kingdom of Grenade. Reconquista, colonizing crusade, mark of decisive progress at the beginning of the XIII E century. But Grenade still resists, and Spain, divided into kingdoms, does not manage to carry out its unit. However, of the kings like Ferdinand III in Castille (1217-1252) and Jaime I er in Aragon (1213-1276) firmly structure the monarchical and public institutions, certainly counterbalanced by the influence of the Cortes.
In Italy
The Italian urban explosion and the economic forces model really the political borders, especially in the north of the country. Some cities dominate: Genoa, enriched by its commercial monopoly at sea Black since 1261, Milan, Florence and especially Venice, large profit of the IV E crusade, true “thalassocratie” where the doge controls the commercial aristocracy, whose only some families constitute the Great Council. In many Italian communes, the podestats, initially named by the elected emperors then, XIII E century, play the part of referees and hold the reality of the public authority. The example of the Italian cities shows, more than very other, the influence of the economic forces on the political structuring of the States.