5.3. MONARCHS TAKE THE REINS

MENU: 5.3. MONARCHS TAKE THE REINS

STRONGER POWER APPEARS WHENEVER THE ECONOMY SIGNIFICANTLY GROWS 

Europe's most powerful monarchy takes power in France a few years before nascent capitalists — Protestants — are officially tolerated. 

(Civil wars end with stronger monarchy, 1694; Edict of Nantes, by which Protestants allowed, 1598)

     Henri IV enters Paris, March 24 1594 by Francois Gérard / zoom

Henri IV wearing the Cross of the Order of the Holy Spirit by Frans Pourbus the Younger, toward 1600 / zoom

In brief

• Growing economies bring stronger kings

• Stronger kings disperse wealth

• Detour: the French monarchy's lasting éclat

• French Baroque's sobriety 

• Defeating archaic opponents of growth

• In Spain, no civil war, no protestants, no capitalists

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Next,

5.3.1.

Growing economies bring more stronger kings