1. New Monarchies

2. Political developments outside of Italy
Decline of feudalism leads to centralization of authority in Western Europe under “new monarchies”.
General characteristics:
collect taxes (largely from peasants)
raise standing armies (lessens reliance on noble vassals)
control over religion in their realms
win right to name church officials
ally with growing power of middle class merchants and townspeople to offset power of church and nobility.
Middle class become judges, civil servants/royal administrators

3. England Henry VII (Tudor) Ends “War of the Roses”
Civil war between royal dynasties
Empowers Star Chamber
Royal court designed to curb noble abuses
Becomes secretive tribunal used by later kings to punish enemies
His son (Henry VIII) takes control of church in England

4. France Francis I (1515 – 1547) Signs Concordat of Bologna
Gives power to French king to make appointments and receive a cut of taxes collected by church.
Monarchy and church have common interests
French monarchy resists Reformation
French Wars of Religion
Huguenots vs. Catholics

5. Spain Ferdinand and Isabella “unify” Spain complete the Reconquista
Really two sovereign kingdoms
Castile and Aragon
complete the Reconquista
Enforced religious orthodoxy
Spanish Inquisition
Force conversion of Jews/Muslims
contributes to “Black Legend”
Example of state control of religion
Create standing army loyal to crown
Fund overseas exploration
Christopher Columbus