Archbishop Stephen Langton 1155-1228, the most famous and enduring statement limiting the power of a lay ruler, the Magna Carta of 1215

Vassals rebelled against several weak kings:

The Hundred Years War 1337-1456

Wars of the Roses 1455-1485

Kings allied with towns and merchants to fight against Baron rebellion, and then in 14th century, began to institutionalize these ad-hoc meetings with their loyal barons and townsman. In England, the institution was called Parliament; In France, the Estates General; in Spain, the Cortez; and in Holy Roman Empire, the Diet.

Renaissance Princes

(Yorkists in England, Valois family in France)

Pioneers and second-generation inheritors/exploiters

Pioneers:

to establish their dynasties on a more permanent and stronger footing, and reduce baronial opposition:

• pursed strategic marriages to heal wounds within the country and gain friends abroad.
• suppressed baronial private armies ruthlessly.
• allied with cities for loans and money and carefully hired humanists, educated lawyers and merchants as well as Nobles to counsel them.
• worked with assemblies.
• maintained good relations with the church, and enthusiastically persecuted heretics and religious minorities (Spanish Inquisition).
• drove out foreign invaders and consolidated holdings as well as imposed religious uniformity.
• reformed governments and legal systems to control efficiently of localities
• had a healthy respect for education, arts and propaganda

Second-generation inheritors/exploiters

• well-educated and became patronage
• continued the policies of suppressing elite power
• further suppressed heretical groups
• the foundation of modern nation-state
• sought to dominate the church

King Henry VIII 1491-1547

Queen Elizabeth I 1533-1603

King Francis I 1494-1547

King Henry II 1519-1559

Emperor Charles V 1500-1558

King Philip II 1527-1598