Using Examples from at Least Two Different States, Analyze the Key Features of the “new Monarchies” and the Factors Responsible for Their Rise in the Period 1450 to 1550.
Essay Preview: Using Examples from at Least Two Different States, Analyze the Key Features of the “new Monarchies” and the Factors Responsible for Their Rise in the Period 1450 to 1550.
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The Renaissance was a time of revival of ancient thought mixed with new intellectual expressions. However, some areas were experiencing unfortunate setbacks in flourishing during this time. The 100 Years war was a war that weakened and depopulated France. The War of Roses was a civil war that created much undesired violence amongst the people. Spain had been composed of independent kingdoms that lacked uniting political organization. However, with the arrival of “new monarchs”, the royal power commenced taking control of their states once more. Though, the time of the new monarchs was before the time of Machiavelli, his ideas were a large part of the rulers strategies: Be effective and feared, rather than loved and weak. The “New Monarchies” arose during the 1450-1550 as a result of placing power within the hands of the middle class, as well as forming agreements between the royal powers and the religious forces, increasing the crowns control over the states .
During the time of the “new monarchs”, France created royal power as the main controlling force by giving the middle class important purpose, as well as creating the Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges. After pushing out the English, Charles VII, recognized the royal council must be controlled by uncorrupt aristocrats. Therefore, Charles VII increased the influence of the middle class by placing them in the royal general council. With this action, the royal finances were enhanced due to the taxes on salt and on the land. Thanks to the middle class work, this income was the “crowns” main income for a significant period of time. Also, this money helped create the first permanent royal army. Religious compromise also served to be important in the rise of the royal monarchies. Charles VII had established the Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges, which stated that the main power in control would now be the general council, and not the papacy. With this statement, the french royalty now has control over the church, and the revenues of the church. This expanded power increases the crowns influence. However, a little later, Louis XII and Pope Leo X agreed that the church could continue to receive the revenue of the bishops and abbots, but only when the french ruler picks the new bishops and abbots. With this exchange, technically, the main power in charge is still the royal power because they control who is and is not a part of the church. With the new middle class members in the royal council, and religious agreement, the french monarchy was in an ascend. France was not alone in this ascend.
Though Spain was technically separated, it was another state that used it middle class and religious accords to excel. After the marriage of Isabelle of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon, the two worked towards the common political goals. One of these goals was to cut the rebellious aristocracy. One way they worked towards this