I am currently reading a book called Western Civilizations (Second Brief Edition) by Judith G. Coffin and Robert C. Stacey. I just finished Chapter Eight, The Expansion of Europe: Economy, Society, and Polotics in the High Middle Ages. The third and fourth paragraphs on page 227 read,
"The most concrete proof of Henry II [of the Angevin Empire, which was based in England, but had a large amount of territory in France]'s success is that his government worked so well after his death. Henry's son, the swashbuckling Richard I, the 'Lionheart,' ruled his father's empire for ten years, from 1189 to 1199, but spent only about six months in England because he was otherwise engaged in crusading or defending his possesions on the Continent [of Europe]. Nonetheless, the legal system continued to develop, and the country raised two huge sums for Richard by taxation: one to pay for his crusade in the Holy Land, and the other to pay his ransom when he was captured by an enemy on his return. It also steadily supported his wars to defend his French lands against King Philip Agustus of France.
THE REIGN OF JOHN AND MAGNA CARTA
"Had Richard lived, the map of Europe might look very different today: had he defeated King Philip, France itself might not exist with anything like its current borders. But Richard was killed in 1199 while besieging a small castle in southern France. His successor, his brother John (1199-1216), was a much less capable military leader, who quickly quickly lost nearly all of his lands in France to King Philip."
So, what if Richard had lived? How would France's borders be different and why? Would the Angevin Empire have been much bigger? Why or why not? Would France ever be as powerful as it is and was? Why or why not? If yes, then how would that have influenced the rest of the world?
Please answer those questions. Thank you.
"The most concrete proof of Henry II [of the Angevin Empire, which was based in England, but had a large amount of territory in France]'s success is that his government worked so well after his death. Henry's son, the swashbuckling Richard I, the 'Lionheart,' ruled his father's empire for ten years, from 1189 to 1199, but spent only about six months in England because he was otherwise engaged in crusading or defending his possesions on the Continent [of Europe]. Nonetheless, the legal system continued to develop, and the country raised two huge sums for Richard by taxation: one to pay for his crusade in the Holy Land, and the other to pay his ransom when he was captured by an enemy on his return. It also steadily supported his wars to defend his French lands against King Philip Agustus of France.
THE REIGN OF JOHN AND MAGNA CARTA
"Had Richard lived, the map of Europe might look very different today: had he defeated King Philip, France itself might not exist with anything like its current borders. But Richard was killed in 1199 while besieging a small castle in southern France. His successor, his brother John (1199-1216), was a much less capable military leader, who quickly quickly lost nearly all of his lands in France to King Philip."
So, what if Richard had lived? How would France's borders be different and why? Would the Angevin Empire have been much bigger? Why or why not? Would France ever be as powerful as it is and was? Why or why not? If yes, then how would that have influenced the rest of the world?
Please answer those questions. Thank you.