Political Structure in the Renaissance Let’s look at some of the big themes that are connected to the growing secular centers of power in Europe. The status quo in Europe was the feudal kingdom, which was rural, dominated by a hereditary monarchy, and noncommercial. Power was seen connected directly with the Great Chain of Being, and mirrored the center of control in the papacy.

Political Structure in the Renaissance As a result of the Hundred years war, and the war of the Roses in England saw the establishment of the House of Tudor as the controlling Royal family in England. Franc had become a consolidated monarchical power, and the Spanish throne was unified, between the Houses of Castile and Aragon, as a result of the marriage between Ferdinand and Isabella.

Political Structure in the Renaissance We also have to consider the structure of the Holy Roman Empire, which was a confederation of three hundred or so states, united under the reign of an elector that vas voted in by the seven great electors. We know that Charles I of Spain, becomes Charles V, head of the Holy Roman Emperor. To a large extent, politics was the province of the King, the Prince, the Dynastic family, and of course the pope.

Political Structure in the Renaissance This is what makes the development of the Italian City States so interesting, and in many was so atypical of the rest of Europe. Let’s consider the flavor of the Italian City state, and see how we can tie its political structure to the development and innovation of the Renaissance.

Political Structure in the Renaissance We see the vibrancy of the Urban culture, and outgrowth of advantageous location and the trade between east and west, both an outgrowth and a cause of the renaissance political structure. Characteristics of the Italian City state, and its political culture:

Political Structure in the Renaissance Economic development as a result of trade changes the face of these city states: Banking houses rise, and finance ventures all over Europe. We see a rise of civic pride that becomes part of what we will known as Civic humanism Cities were independent entities that were free form the control of Kings.

Political Structure in the Renaissance As the Popes and the Holy Roman Emperor fought, City states grew independent of their control. We see the rise of the Urban Oligarchy, simply put is the control of a city by a group of powerful merchants determining policy based on their economic influence. Hence, we see competition and skill bringing the individual into public office, not hereditary or religious affiliation.

Political Structure in the Renaissance However this by no mean provided an egalitarian way of life. Mechanism of control focused on dictates and financial superiority, and strong families like the Medici and the Sforza’s were mini dynasties. Cities were stratified quite severely into social classes, and the closer to the seat of power the greater the influence.

Political Structure in the Renaissance Grandi – old money, historically in control of a particular city. Popolo Grosso – new money, found in the banking and merchant classes. Burghers – Middle classes, primary from the trade guilds or small scale manufacturing. Popolo Minuto – the little people, the urban peasant.

Political Structure in the Renaissance The Ciompi Revolts witnessed probably the first large scale uprising of the urban poor, who were oppressed by the rich, hurt severely by the effects of the plague and economic collapse in several banking houses. Remember, this is only possible in the growing urban cities in Italy. Here are a few more points on the city state, and the peculiar juxtaposition of oppression and expression.

Political Structure in the Renaissance Now, we move form a period of relative calm and progress to a period in the later part of the 15th century that saw chaos and decline in Italy, and the introduction of foreign troop, specifically the French into the Italian Peninsula. The Treaty of Lodi had established a de-facto truce amongst the city states in Italy,,and this truce would be broken at the close of the century.

Political Structure in the Renaissance 1494 – a critical moment where the desire for power coaxes an Italian Ruler, Ludvico il Moro from Milan saw a threat from the states of Florence, and the Borgia Pope Alexander VI as enough of a reason to put his trust in the French. His ideas was to allow the French King safe passage into Italy, through Milan, to claim territories that had been historically controlled by France. It proved to be a disaster.

Political Structure in the Renaissance This lead to nearly three decades of invasion by the French Forces, and the eventual fall of the city of Rome to the forces of the Holy Roman Empire. The successes of the French King in Italy also prompted the Spanish king, Ferdinand, to form an alliance with Italian city states of Venice, the papal states as well as the Holy Roman Emperor against the territories conquered by Charles VIII of France.

Political Structure in the Renaissance We all remember that fun loving family, the Borgia’s and the fact that Alexander VI was anything but a caretaker of the keys of St. Peter. Alexander would use the intersession of the French to re-claim states that had fallen away form the papacy as a result of the Avignon Papacy. Alexander even went so far as to annul the marriage of the French King Louis VIII’s to the previous Kings’ sister, so that he could marry the widow!

Political Structure in the Renaissance Alexander's illegitimate son marries into the French royal family. Alexander gets what he wanted, but the French presence on the peninsula remains for decades, and would be the primary cause for Machiavelli to compose the prince, as an appeal to someone in Italy to regain the greatness of Ancient Rome, at any cost.

Political Structure in the Renaissance It is interesting to note that at the time of the greatest upheaval in the political life of the Italian city states, we see the greatest achievement in the real of the arts, the high Renaissance. Despite the chaos and invasions, the papacy become the most consistent patron of the Arts, and the commission of Michelangelo to construct the fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine chapel is the high point of this papal patronage.

Political Structure in the Renaissance Big issue, the Revival of the Northern Monarchies. What we have to do is to look for patterns of the growth of Monarchies while three were towns and eventually cities that began to have their own autonomy. What do we see?

Political Structure in the Renaissance The shift is toward feudal dynasties that will unify entire countries, like England, France and Spain. With the concomitant increase in the size and power of towns and cities, thee has to be a negotiating point between the Monarchs, and the ever increasing power base in the cities

Political Structure in the Renaissance Kings began to utilize business people and those we might consider humanists to staff their growing bureaucracies. Hence we see a breaking of the traditional bonds between the monarchies and the nobility. Now, as the monarchies are growing larger, we see things like taxes and warfare becoming a matter of national importance rather that something controlled on a regional level.

Political Structure in the Renaissance We see kings acting more and more independently of the national assemblies that had gained power in the Medieval Era. Law was dictated by the monarch, and any local magistrates or judges were at the beck and call of the Monarchy. We see also the growth of standing armies, meaning, and this is a big idea, troop were no not just raised in times of war.

Political Structure in the Renaissance This meant two things: Now we had soldiers that were employed by the monarch, not simply “on loan” as it were from the nobility. Further, this always raised the specter of a King using these troops, many of which could be mercenaries, against his own people. And, we will see an increase in taxation of the people, and a subsequent effort on the part of the nobility to avoid being taxed.

Political Life Renaissance Europe Not surprisingly, the burden of the taxation fell on the middle and lower classes, and taxes like the gabelle, the taille became virtual institutions. Let’s take a look at four growing monarchies, France, Spain, England and the Holy Roman Empire.

Political Life in Renaissance Europe France: Consolidation of Power: The end of the Thirty years war allowed for the consolidation of the French crown. Death of Charles the Bold meant the Burgundy was no longer a power player in France. Louis XI then became the unified French King. France’s new power meant that they could pursue a active foreign policy, which would harm them later.

Political Life in Renaissance Europe Spain: Consolidation of Castile (Isabella) and (Ferdinand) Aragon. Castile was the power of the two. Yet, they had separate identities. Secure borders, military, and the New World. Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Toleration no longer. Inquisition.

Political Life in Renaissance Europe Here is the link between Spain and the Hapsburg Empire. First Daughter marries into the HRE, and their son, Charles I, will become Charles V Second Daughter, Catherine, marries son of Henry VII, Arthur, and will later marry Henry VIII.