Monarchies And Courts

Question 1

Systems of power in state

Answer 1

• composite states, one overall ruler with local rulers underneath
• territorial disputes with regional princes who wanted more power
• administrative overlaps with issues of jurisdiction and competition, challenged in ways
• example of HRE

Question 2

What challenges did state governments bring?

Answer 2

• geography as an issue, when a country was small with a large number of government officials, distance meant transportation and flow of ideas was slow
• diktat or enforcement of policies depended on the willingness of those in power to do so
• lack of army or organised violence meant a limited threat

Question 3

The Court as Peripatetic

Answer 3

• a fundamental of governments within states and republics alike
• sites of sophisticated ceremony, educations culture and political intrigue
• prompt displays of loyalty through travelling though the realm to visit houses
• support could be displayed to local provincial lords
• dispensed justice in the classic way
• familiarised the monarch with their people

Question 4

The Court as Fixed

Answer 4

• over time, peripatetic courts declined and fixed increased
• first half of 16th century, royal french households doubled in size
• first half of thr 17th century, Spanish court staff of 1700 and 400 ministers

Question 5

Further functions

Answer 5

• key centre for patronage, local officials looking for favours from the monarchs
• provided an increased dependency on the monarch
• opulent display of power and wealth

Question 6

Palace of Buen Retiro

Answer 6

• palace retreat for Phillip IV of Spain
• the hall of realms showed off the power of Spain across the globe

Question 7

Dysfunctions at Court

Answer 7

• anti court literature, the luxury and excess did not reflect the values and virtues of contoroversy
• clashes with the nobility and trained bureaucrats, old money vs new professionals

Question 8

Monarchies as ideals of kingship

Answer 8

• supreme executive judiciary, Old Testament models
• religious authorities in protestant territories such as Denmark
• financial centres for coinage and images

Question 9

Absolutism and Divine Right

Answer 9

• absolute sovreignity as indivisible
• all power concentrated in one body, no active resistance, only passive