European Monarchies In The Middle Ages
Anya Kothari
Dr. Calabro
AP European History
12 September 2014 In the mid-15th to mid-16th centuries, the European governments underwent major changes. The mid-15th century saw a decrease in the power and popularity of the feudal system of governing, and an increase in the authority of centralized monarchies. General chaos descended upon much of Europe and so the New Monarchs - as the sovereigns of these monarchies are referred to - advertised their idea of a central monarchy as the best way to restore order. As the feudal lords that mostly governed Europe during the Late Middle Ages weakened due to civil war, rebellion, and banditry, the New Monarchs seized the opportunity to solidify their power using such tactics as decreasing the power …show more content…
A country is always stronger when its citizens love their government. However, in the Middle Ages, for most Europeans, God was the most important aspect of one's life. New Monarchs began creating national institutions of Christianity, therefore one's God and one's nation became almost synonymous. Henry VIII, for example, created the Church of England, which he was supreme head of. While he met with resistance at first, most of his subjects accepted this and, as such, the office of the monarch of England became synonymous with England's religion. Since many people's lives revolved around their religious duties, the ascension of the king or queen of England to head of the Church of England marked a strengthening in citizen's love for their sovereign and, consequently, their nation. The transfer of the power of governing religion from the papacy in Rome to certain New Monarchs strengthened a monarch's claim on his or her
Dr. Calabro
AP European History
12 September 2014 In the mid-15th to mid-16th centuries, the European governments underwent major changes. The mid-15th century saw a decrease in the power and popularity of the feudal system of governing, and an increase in the authority of centralized monarchies. General chaos descended upon much of Europe and so the New Monarchs - as the sovereigns of these monarchies are referred to - advertised their idea of a central monarchy as the best way to restore order. As the feudal lords that mostly governed Europe during the Late Middle Ages weakened due to civil war, rebellion, and banditry, the New Monarchs seized the opportunity to solidify their power using such tactics as decreasing the power …show more content…
A country is always stronger when its citizens love their government. However, in the Middle Ages, for most Europeans, God was the most important aspect of one's life. New Monarchs began creating national institutions of Christianity, therefore one's God and one's nation became almost synonymous. Henry VIII, for example, created the Church of England, which he was supreme head of. While he met with resistance at first, most of his subjects accepted this and, as such, the office of the monarch of England became synonymous with England's religion. Since many people's lives revolved around their religious duties, the ascension of the king or queen of England to head of the Church of England marked a strengthening in citizen's love for their sovereign and, consequently, their nation. The transfer of the power of governing religion from the papacy in Rome to certain New Monarchs strengthened a monarch's claim on his or her