In what ways did the English monarchy control its nobility compared to the French?

The English monarchy controlled its nobility through a system of laws, royal courts, and the Magna Carta, unlike the French monarchy.

The English monarchy, particularly from the 13th century onwards, developed a system of control over its nobility that was distinct from the French model. One of the key ways was through the establishment of a system of laws and royal courts. The English monarchy, unlike the French, had a centralised system of justice. This meant that the nobility were subject to the same laws as the rest of the population and could be held accountable for their actions in royal courts. This system was reinforced by the Magna Carta in 1215, which established the principle that everyone, including the king and the nobility, was subject to the law.

In contrast, the French monarchy allowed its nobility a greater degree of autonomy. The French nobility had their own courts, known as parlements, where they could make their own laws and were largely exempt from royal control. This system allowed the French nobility to maintain a significant degree of power and independence from the monarchy.

Another significant difference was the way in which the English and French monarchies dealt with the issue of land ownership. In England, the monarchy retained control over large amounts of land and could grant or revoke land rights to the nobility. This gave the monarchy a significant amount of leverage over the nobility, as they could use the threat of land confiscation as a means of control. In contrast, the French monarchy had less control over land ownership, with the nobility often owning vast estates that were largely independent of royal control.

Furthermore, the English monarchy used the institution of Parliament as a means of controlling the nobility. The House of Lords, which was made up of the nobility, was a key part of the English political system. The monarchy could use this institution to negotiate with the nobility, offering concessions in return for support. This was in stark contrast to the French monarchy, which had a much more autocratic system of governance, with less opportunity for the nobility to influence policy.

Overall, the English monarchy had a more structured and legalistic approach to controlling its nobility compared to the French monarchy. This was reflected in the establishment of a centralised system of justice, control over land ownership, and the use of Parliament as a means of negotiation and control.