The End of Europe's Middle Ages New Monarchies This chapter is composed of five sections: Introduction, England, France, Spain, and Portugal. Please follow the link at the end of each section to read the entire chapter. Introduction As the Middle Ages progressed in Europe, feudalism created layers of conflicting laws, customs and traditions. Numerous feudal courts were established under dukes and earls whose interests were often contrary to those of the monarch, threatening royal authority. In an effort to rectify this situation, the monarchs of England, France, Spain, and Portugal took steps to re-establish their authority over the aristocracy and the clergy. They did this by centralising governmental offices and placing officials throughout the kingdom to represent royal interests. As they moved to secure autonomy within their own kingdoms, they also sought to solidify national boundaries. Those monarchies that experienced a move towards greater control by the king through a centralised government are known as the 'New Monarchies'. Despite the similarity of outcome, England, France, Spain, and Portugal each followed slightly different routes and the trend towards centralisation suffered a temporary setback between the early fourteenth and mid-fifteenth century. Wars, internal dissension, riots, famine, and plague disrupted governmental processes and it was not until the end of the fifteenth century that the royal houses of England, France, Spain, and Portugal were able to re-establish control. Return to Feudal Institutions Proceed to New Monarchies: England The End of Europe's Middle Ages / Applied History Research Group / University of Calgary Copyright © 1998, The Applied History Research Group