Western Civilization I / Unit 14 WC1 1303 short lesson, about 20 seconds
From First Among Nobles to Monarch, 1350 to 1500
Captions available
The idea
The medieval king was first among nobles, drawing power from his own lands while vassals fielded armies as large as his, with no standing forces and limited wars. From thirteen fifty to fifteen hundred the largest monarchies funded better armies, expanded, and absorbed smaller states.
In practice
Burgundy and the Italian cities swallowed.
Where people slip
Loyalty ran to the king, not the territory.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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