The high medieval period in Europe was dominated by a succession of royal governors, an elite class who controlled the political landscape. Their rule was facilitated by a number of factors; first, by the force of their armies they maintained control of their respective territories, quelling any challenge or rebellion. Second, they performed the function of delivering justice and were thus a valuable source of law and order for their populace. Third, the support of the church, which influenced much of the population, inspired the belief that kings were a representative of god and had a god given right to rule. Fourth, their use of the feudal system, as well as the administration which accompanied it enabled them to keep their kingdoms and subjects in check.
From 1536 the royal court was at the heart of the government and power lay with the king. However, to exercise it effectively he relied on a bureaucracy supervised by the Council and the co-operation of both the nobility and Church. When the king intervened with the parliament and governments his power was at its strongest forming a King-in-Parliament. The whole arrangement of appointments was held by patronage where both the king and those close to him acted as patrons putting forward their clients for position and office to ensure Henry could depend on each and every one to support him in order to succeed a Henrician Reformation. This facilitated him to becoming the most superior individual and increased overall royal power by building up political influence in the latter years.
Henry VII Essay 18/5/2012 I think that Henry VII made a great leader, looking at all the key achievements of his here it makes me think that there can’t have been many kings as powerful, clever, and strong as hi. He was great militarily and financially but it is obvious that overall what he found easiest was being a great politician. His achievements of making alliances through marriage show that he must have been an extremely persuasive man to have so many relatives married to princes, princesses, queens and kings in other countries are proof of him being almightily powerful, possibly to the extent that he would never have been able to have his empire struck down. He was invincible in every way and form. Militarily he must have been strong because he kept on repelling off rebelling hordes and to take the English throne in the first place he must have had great tactics, as at the battle of Bosworth he was outnumbered and outgunned in the first hour of the battle yet
Previous kings had only used the Chamber erratically in times of war however Edward decided to make it more systematic, which in turn siphoned in much more money. This point does support how Edward was a good king because all sources show that it was his idea, not his exchequer. Edwards new policy showed that he managed the royal finances well because it meant that more revenue was coming in therefore he could run the country, as well as start paying of Henry’s debts. Additionally it meant that he could live of his own because he did not have to ask parliament to raise a tax. I think that this was possibly the most important cause to
He genuinely wanted to see impartial justice delivered in his courts. He also promoted civil law over common law. Wolsey's achievements in law hinge on his pursuit of justice for all, and the endorsment of a progressive legal system. Source 9 supports this because it says 'nor justice better administered.' This shows that Wolsey was a successful chief minister in terms of justice because he saw it as his duty to bring everyone justice no matter how rich they were.
The military strength and wealth he gained through his conquests in Gaul would pave his way to a successful career. He was so successful in his campaign that he became famous for his phrase “I came, I saw, I conquered” and the modern historian H.H Scullard even describes him as a man with “outstanding abilities”. Thus the Gallic Wars played a significant role in Julius Caesar’s Career, both politically and militarily. Caesar’s reputation as a General, who is considered to be more prominent than Pompey the great, was not comprehended until the Gallic Wars. Instead he was known to be one of the ablest orators and “most adroit politicians of the day”[F.B Marsh] and his military skills were most likely not rated very highly.
David Shotter – high praise for Tiberius’ skill as an administrator: “Tiberius’ principate… high standards were sought and generally enforced”. So too is Scullard, who says in his early reign, Tiberius’ “civil administration was, by general consent, excellent”. Policy to enable stability included extending governors’ times of office, and removing any who were corrupt or incompetent, where “those who overstepped the mark were dealt with harshly” (Shotter), Provincial stability based on diplomacy, not warfare; economic development pursued, ‘Romanisation’ enhanced through new settlements. Successfully quelled army mutiny on Rhine frontier, however, some difficulties also, as Pamela Bradley notes, in particular – revolt in N. Africa; Pontius Pilate in power in Judea too long (10 uninspiring years). Overall, positive – even Tacitus (generally anti-Tiberius, as a person) is complimentary.
All three Carolingian monarchs wanted the church to reform, wanted to reorganize the church under the pope; all this would help raise their power as the Carolingian dynasty. Charlemagne was indeed the most successful ruler of the Carolingians and he having a good relationship
He was a zealous missionary and his role in sending out missionaries, guiding them and serving as an authority for questions greatly strengthened the power of the papacy. * Gregory’s reforms to the church * Gregory oversaw the changes or additions to the order of the liturgy and mass. The fact that he could do this proved his power over the entire Church, at least in the West. * Various writings/letters that shed light on Gregory’s opinion of the role of the Pope * Letters to Phocas * Letter to the Patriarch Eulogious * Conclusion: Although Gregory never wanted to be the Pope, he wound up becoming of the most influential Popes of his time. And even though at times his actions were not motivated by the desire for power or influence, many of his actions increased the power and influence of his office and created a framework for the Character of the Pope within the Church for centuries to come.
In the 1600’s Louis XIV used absolutism to gain power and to do what he thought is the most beneficial thing for his country. Louis XIV was one of the first leaders to use absolute power and even now those techniques are still used. Louis XIV and Hu Jintao used ceremonies to make themselves appear more important, policies against religious minorities, and economic advisors and economic reforms to increase power. These specific methods are what Hu Jintao and Louis XIV enforced during their time of leadership and is why they were able to gain power over nations. Louis XIV used the Palace of Versailles as his center of political power by having huge ceremonies to make himself look powerful and important.