Royal Power and Conflict in Early Modern Europe

absolutism

Form of government placing absolute power in the monarch and his or her advisers.

divine right

Political idea that monarchs receive their power directly from God and are responsible to God alone for their actions.

armada

A fleet of warships.

inflation

A general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money.

Philip II

Most powerful monarch in Spanish history who ruled from 1556 to 1598.

El Escorial

Granite palace built by Philip II serving as royal court, art gallery, monastery, and tomb for Spanish royalty.

Madrid

Capital of Spain.

Marranos

Jews who had converted to Christianity.

Moriscos

Muslims who had become Christians.

Charles II

Monarch mentioned in the notes.

Armada

A fleet of warships organized to carry out a mission.

Inflation

An abnormal increase in currency resulting in sharp price rises.

Absolutism

A political theory that absolute power should be vested in one ruler or authority.

Divine Right

The belief that a ruler's authority comes directly from a higher power.

Gentry

People of good social position, specifically the class of people next below the nobility in position and birth.

Yeomen

A man holding and cultivating a small landed estate.

Balance of Power

A situation in which nations of the world have roughly equal power, preventing any one nation from becoming too strong.

Henry VII

First Tudor monarch of England, known for rebuilding commercial prosperity and promoting foreign trade.

Henry VIII

Powerful Tudor monarch who fought wars in Europe, made England a naval power, and had six marriages.

Elizabeth I

Queen of England known for her shrewdness, education, forceful personality, and cultural influence.

Edward VI

Son of Henry VIII and briefly King of England, known for his Protestant reforms.

William Shakespeare

Renowned English playwright and poet, considered one of the greatest writers in the English language.

James I

King of England and Scotland, known for commissioning the King James Version of the Bible.

Mary I

Catholic queen who married Philip II of Spain, restored Catholicism, and executed Protestants

Philip II of Spain

Mary I's husband who urged her to involve England in a war with France

Calais

Port lost by England to France during Mary I's reign

Elizabethan Era

Period of cultural flourishing under Elizabeth I, with poets like Shakespeare

Marriage Expectations

Common belief that Elizabeth should marry, but she refused to give up her powers

Council of Nobles

Assisted Elizabeth in drafting proclamations and handling foreign relations

Parliament

Could plead, advise, and consider tax laws but lacked power to initiate legislation

Justices of the Peace

Unpaid community members who enforced the queen's law in local areas

Globe Theater

London site where Shakespeare's plays were performed

Royal Debt

Elizabeth inherited a monarchy in debt, funded lavish ceremonies

Statute of Apprentices

1563 law regulating work, wages, and apprenticeships

Poor Laws

1597 and 1601 laws providing for the homeless and unemployed

English Channel

Used by England for defense against European invaders

Sir Francis Drake

Famous explorer and naval leader knighted by Elizabeth I

Spanish Armada

Threatened England's security, defeated by English navy

King James VI

Succeeded Elizabeth I, united Scotland and England under Stuart dynasty

England cooperated with Spain

England collaborated with Spain to keep France out of the Netherlands.

Netherlands revolted against Philip II

The Netherlands rebelled against Philip II, and England supported the rebels, aligning with the weaker power against the stronger one.

Scotland's hostility towards England

Scotland, largely Catholic, was hostile towards England in the 1550s.

Mary, Queen of Scots

Mary Stuart, also known as Mary, Queen of Scots, was Elizabeth's cousin, forced to abdicate her position as queen of Scotland in 1567.

Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots

Elizabeth I was hesitant to execute Mary, Queen of Scots, a Catholic and heir to the English throne, fearing she would try to replace Elizabeth.

Balance of power

A distribution of military and economic power among nations to prevent any one country from becoming too strong.

Edict of Nantes

Issued by Henry IV in 1598, granting civil rights to Huguenots and allowing Protestant worship in areas where they were a majority in France.

Intendant

Special agents of the Crown in France who were given authority in local government affairs by Cardinal Richelieu.

Henry IV of France

Founder of the Bourbon dynasty in France, converted to Catholicism and issued the Edict of Nantes to end religious strife.

Cardinal Richelieu

Adviser to Louis XIII who aimed to build an absolute monarchy in France by reducing the power of nobles and Huguenots.

Louis XIV

Known as the Sun King, Louis XIV of France emphasized a strong monarchy and centralized power, stating 'L'état, c'est moi!' ('I am the state!').

Jacques Bossuet

Leading church official of France supporting absolute monarchy

Jean-Baptiste Colbert

Economic minister promoting mercantilist policies under Louis XIV

François Michel Le Tellier

Minister of war aiding Louis XIV in making France's army the strongest in Europe

Versailles

Palace built by Louis XIV to demonstrate wealth and power of France

War of the Spanish Succession

Conflict lasting from 1701 to 1713 involving England, Dutch Netherlands, and Austria against France and Spain

Treaty of Utrecht

Peace treaty in 1713 recognizing Philip V as king of Spain and imposing losses on France

Louis XV

Great-grandson of Louis XIV, faced conflicts between nobles and lower classes

Mercantilist policies

Economic policies promoting trade and industry to increase state wealth

Huguenots

French Protestants persecuted by Louis XIV, leading to their emigration

Acadia and Newfoundland

Territories surrendered by France to England in Treaty of Utrecht

Bourbon Monarchy

Monarchy characterized by the Bourbon family's rule in France

Louis XIV's Legacy

Includes bold foreign policy, conflicts, and economic challenges faced by France

Fronde

Series of civil wars in France during Louis XIV's childhood

Divine Right of Kings

Belief that kings receive their power from God and are only accountable to God

Nobility

Social class in France dependent on Louis XIV's favor for privileges and protection

Tax System

Unjust system under Louis XIV burdening the poor while exempting nobles and clergy

Louis XIV's Court Rituals

Daily practices where nobles served the king to maintain his control over them

Louis XIV's Building Projects

Led to financial strain in France but showcased the monarchy's power and glory

Louis XIV's Reign

Marked by efforts to strengthen the monarchy, economic challenges, and conflicts

Louis XIV's Foreign Policy

Provoked fear and opposition from other European rulers

Louis XIV's Succession Concerns

Europe's worries about the balance of power upon Charles II of Spain's death