| The Royal Court | |
| The
Royal Court was the center of all the kingdom. It is here that a monarch demonstrated his
power with grand banquets and ceremonies, collected taxes, settled disputes, and made
laws. Henry II of England (1133-1189) settled arguments over land holdings with special
court sessions, and Louis IX of France (1214-1270) insisted on listening to court cases in
person. Most medieval kings thought they had absolute power to rule over their subjects, given to them by God. One king, Richard II of England, once sat for hours on his throne, looking around the room. He just wanted to watch his courtiers kneel when he looked at them. By the year 1399, Richard was so unpopular that he was deposed of his throne. Other History Sites
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