5.4.1. GROWING ECONOMIES BRING MORE ACTIVE KINGS

THEY ARE SHOWN ON HORSEBACK AS THE STATIC IMAGE CHANGES: 

Tapestry (detail), Musée de la Renaissance

King David, Brussels, toward 1520

In early 16th-century Flanders, this king is not dressed for combat. Vassals surround him so he cannot fight, as in parts of the African savannah. Yet he is on horseback. 

Three powerful kings of about 1530-1550:

 François I à cheval by Jean Clouet, 1540 / zoom

France, Francis I

                                       By Friedrich Bouterwerk, no date :  zoom            By Cornelis Anthonisz, Dutch, 1538 / zoom 

England, Henry VIII

By Titian, 1548

Spain, Charles V (The rare black horse fits the dark skies.)

Francis I charges into battle.

François I charges the Swiss mercenaries at the battle of Marignan, attributed to Noel Bellemare, 1539-1530 / zoom

Zoom

Notice the elaborate dress and of course, the white horse.

Ten years later, Francis's exploits leads to his capture.That leads to the authorities of Flanders, which Spain controls, to commission a giant tapestry of the battle for its king.

  The Battle of Pavia, 1525 (detail of tapestry finished in  1531)  / zoom

Video / zoom 

"During the Renaissance its cost made tapestry the art of kings..."  the video's commentator says.

         

Keeping profits from being invested

was more than ever the job of kings. 

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Next,
5.4.2.

Stronger kings disperse wealth