Overview
The countries that made up Renaissance Europe were usually divided up into multiple city-states, but towards the end of the era and the 15th century the monarchies attempted to re-centralize their governments. These newly unified monarchies were called new monarchies and Renaissance states.
It was especially hard for the French government to unite itself after the devastation brought on by the Hundred Year's War. Under their new king, Charles VII (1422-1461), the French realized a common enemy, the English. Unlike many of the other French kings, Charles was given the power to exact the taille from the people without the permission of the Estates-General, which significantly decreased the power of the French parliament. Charles was important to promoting French pride and uniting the country by setting up a common enemy.
The French king, Louis XI (1461-1483), was focused on building wealth by establishing a constant tax was then able to focus on other matters concerning the unification of the state. However, he was regularly tested and distracted by the nobility of France who posed a threat and his own vassal, Charles the Bold (1467-1477), attempted to go against his will. Charles tried to create a state in between France and Germany, but was quickly stopped and killed by Louis. After the death of Charles, Louis took Burgundy, formerly a state under Charles. Through his efforts it is speculated the Louis constructed the basis for the future French monarchy.
It was especially hard for the French government to unite itself after the devastation brought on by the Hundred Year's War. Under their new king, Charles VII (1422-1461), the French realized a common enemy, the English. Unlike many of the other French kings, Charles was given the power to exact the taille from the people without the permission of the Estates-General, which significantly decreased the power of the French parliament. Charles was important to promoting French pride and uniting the country by setting up a common enemy.
The French king, Louis XI (1461-1483), was focused on building wealth by establishing a constant tax was then able to focus on other matters concerning the unification of the state. However, he was regularly tested and distracted by the nobility of France who posed a threat and his own vassal, Charles the Bold (1467-1477), attempted to go against his will. Charles tried to create a state in between France and Germany, but was quickly stopped and killed by Louis. After the death of Charles, Louis took Burgundy, formerly a state under Charles. Through his efforts it is speculated the Louis constructed the basis for the future French monarchy.