Assess the validity of the statement The New Monarchies of Europe

Subject : History

Question: Assess the validity of the statement: “The ‘New Monarchies’ of Europe during the late 15th and early 16th centuries were Machiavellian in action,” using examples of monarchs from at least two countries.

Expert Verified Solution:

The statement that the “New Monarchies” of Europe during the late 15th and early 16th centuries were Machiavellian in action can be considered valid to a significant extent. The term “Machiavellian,” derived from Niccolò Machiavelli’s political treatise “The Prince,” refers to the use of cunning, strategic manipulation, and pragmatic, sometimes ruthless, policies to maintain power and achieve political goals. During this period, several European monarchs demonstrated these qualities as they centralized power and strengthened their states. Let’s examine examples from Spain and England to illustrate this point.

1. Spain: Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile

Ferdinand and Isabella, known as the Catholic Monarchs, are prime examples of Machiavellian rulers. Their marriage in 1469 united the two powerful Spanish kingdoms of Aragon and Castile, laying the foundation for a unified Spain. They engaged in several Machiavellian actions to consolidate their power:

Centralization of Power: Ferdinand and Isabella worked to reduce the influence of the nobility and strengthen the monarchy’s control over the state. They reformed the military and established a professional army loyal directly to the crown, diminishing the power of noble-led private armies.

Use of Religion as a Political Tool: The monarchs used the Catholic Church to solidify their power. They established the Spanish Inquisition in 1478, which served not only to enforce Catholic orthodoxy but also to suppress political opposition and consolidate their control over their kingdoms.

Strategic Alliances and Warfare: The monarchs engaged in the Reconquista, the campaign to drive the Moors out of Granada, which they completed in 1492. This military success bolstered their prestige and reinforced their rule. They also married their children strategically across Europe to forge alliances and extend their influence.

2. England: Henry VII and Henry VIII

The Tudor monarchs of England, particularly Henry VII and his son Henry VIII, also demonstrated Machiavellian tactics in their efforts to consolidate power and strengthen the monarchy:

Henry VII (1485-1509):

Restoration of Royal Authority: After winning the throne by defeating Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, Henry VII implemented policies to diminish the power of the nobility, such as the use of the Court of Star Chamber to control over-powerful nobles and bypass traditional courts. He also used financial policies to strengthen royal finances and weaken potential rivals.

Dynastic Security: Henry VII was cautious about ensuring a stable succession and securing his dynasty’s position. He arranged advantageous marriages for his children, such as marrying his son, Arthur, to Catherine of Aragon, thereby forming a strategic alliance with Spain.

Henry VIII (1509-1547):

Break with the Catholic Church: Perhaps the most Machiavellian move by Henry VIII was his break with the Roman Catholic Church in 1534. Facing the Pope’s refusal to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, Henry established the Church of England, placing himself as the head. This decision was driven by a desire to control religious affairs in England, seize Church lands and wealth, and ensure a male heir to the throne, rather than any deep theological convictions.

Suppression of Opposition: Henry VIII was ruthless in suppressing opposition to his religious and political changes, executing dissenters, including his former confidant Thomas More, and orchestrating the downfall of those who posed a threat to his authority, such as the influential Duke of Buckingham.

The “New Monarchies” of Europe during the late 15th and early 16th centuries were indeed Machiavellian in their actions, as demonstrated by the policies of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain and Henry VII and Henry VIII of England. These rulers employed strategic marriages, centralized their authority, utilized religion as a tool of statecraft, and were willing to use force and manipulation to maintain and expand their power. Their actions aligned with Machiavelli’s principles of statecraft, where the ends justified the means, and maintaining power and stability was paramount.