3 min read•june 18, 2024
Isabela Padilha Vilela
Christine Lin
Isabela Padilha Vilela
Christine Lin
New ideas of from the Renaissance prompted new forms of governmental and civil institutions that laid foundation for many modern governmental concepts. These new monarchs👑 focused on creating a centralized government by establishing monopolies on tax collection💸, employing military force, and pushing religious reform to gain greater control over religious practices.
Monarchs and became popular for their religious reforms. The Enligh Reformation instituted by Henry VIII was a response to the Church's impediment for Henry VIII to divorce his previous wife, Catherine of Aragon. Henry VIII brought then dissolution of monasteries and created the "" as a separate entity from the Catholic church. This laid the ground for the dissemination of in England and across Europe as well.
After the and the , nobility and clergy members no longer had the ability to block the power of growing monarchies. There was also a shift in who would assist the king during this time. Business-savvy townspeople became the king’s lawyers, foreign diplomats, and military tacticians. This breaks the bonds of feudal society and makes the rise of sovereign states possible due to the new relationship between the townspeople and the king.
also led to the creation of during the 15th century. The cavalry was dismantled and instead it was replaced by artillery and infantry. France was a perfect example of this movement, especially under the leadership of who created a permanent professional army.
Possibly the most famous monarchy to come about during the Renaissance would be that of Spain. In 1469, and married and unified Spain. 🇪🇸 They conquered Granada, made Naples a Spanish possession, and conquered the , expanding their empire. Although Spain had been a melting pot of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim people, it became a Christian nation under their control. Their greatest legacy is their promotion of overseas exploration🌊. Their partnership with Christopher Columbus led to the creation of a where gold and silver mines helped Spain become the wealthiest country in Europe (until inflation hit).
Meanwhile, in Italy, Renaissance ideals remained influential, which furthered political fragmentation. Ideas of a secular state - a state without an official religion - floated around Italy. Important secular theorists included . and .
During this period, it is important to note that were gaining power and ascended in the social strata.