Kings, nobles and commoners : states and societies in early modern Europe ; a revisionist history

Kings, Nobles and Commoners takes head-on the leading questions in the history of early modern Europe--questions vital for an understanding of the period, and now at the top of the history agenda for academics, students and general readers. Was religion the badge of identity and inspiration for the state? What was the nature of the state? Did Protestantism lead to political and economic progress and Catholicism to absolutism, decadence and extinction? Jeremy Black's revisionist history shows that while ""bourgeois"" Protestant states like the Netherlands and Britain prospered and, in Britain's case, became a global power. ""Reactionary"" Catholic states like Austria and France at various times remained stable until the deluge of the French Revolution. ""Absolutism"" was no myth, but absolutist states still had to rule with consent. Jeremy Black links these themes into a rich and coherent tapestry to give the clearest and most authoritative picture of the complexities of the early modern period. Religion has arguably been the single most influential force in determining the course of human history. Thus, in assessing key historical events the question is often not did religion wield an influence but rather how was its impact felt? Kings, Nobles and Commoners explores the workings of religion on the development of the early modern state in Europe and traces its continued influence from 1550 to 1800. Focusing on religion's power as a badge of identity and source of inspiration in early state development and the nature of the states that emerged, Jeremy Black makes a significant and stimulating contribution to the scholarship on the emergence of the modern nation state.Specifically, was the Protestantism seen in the United Netherlands' 'Golden Age' or in Britain's global dominance 'more effective' than the Catholicism of states such as Austria and Spain? Did Protestantism provide the impetus for the modern, thrusting 'bourgeois' state based on international finance, commerce, trade and empire while Catholicism retained traditional links between altar and throne? Were Catholic states ruled by absolute monarchs, outwardly grand but inherently weak?With religion's powerful influence, what was the true structure of the early modern state? How was it able to function? Were emperors and kings able to exercise true absolute power? If so, was the power built upon efficient, centralised governments or enforced simply by powerful armed forces? Or was royal absolutism a myth with leaders becoming increasingly challenged and harassed as the modern state developed to maturity?Jeremy Black's revisionist history, based on cutting edge research and a mass of original materials including the rich historical geography now coming to light, links together themes vital for an understanding of the period. He tracks the rise to power of both Protestant and Catholic states. On the Protestant side were the United Provinces and Britain, with growing financial, technical, military and naval resources, expanding into the New World, and Britain, becoming a global power. Sweden and Prussia were powerful, centralised militaristic states. On the Catholic side the Habsburgs and France vied for dominance.For students of European history and the early modern age, Kings, Nobles and Commoners will prove to be an essential tool and a constant source for reference and stimulating ideas. Kings, Nobles And Commoners Explores The Workings Of Religion On The Development Of The Early Modern State In Europe And Traces Its Continued Influence From 1550 To 1800. Focusing On Religion's Power As A Badge Of Identity And Source Of Inspiration In Early State Development And The Nature Of The States That Emerged, Jeremy Black Makes A Significant And Stimulating Contribution To The Scholarship On The Emergence Of The Modern Nation State. Jeremy Black's Revisionist History Based On Cutting Edge Research And A Mass Of Original Materials Including The Rich Historical Geography Now Coming To Light, Links Together Themes Vital For An Understanding Of The Period. He Tracks The Rise To Power Of Both Protestant And Catholic States. On The Protestant Side Were The United Provinces And Britain, With Growing Financial, Technical, Military And Naval Resources, Expanding Into The New World, And Britain, Becoming A Global Power Sweden And Prussia Were Powerful, Centralised Militaristic States. On The Catholic Side The Habsburgs And France Vied For Dominance.--jacket. The Ancien Régime State : A Growing Power? -- A States System? -- Social Dynamics -- Chronological Perspectives -- Eighteenth-century Consequences -- The Global Dimension -- Conclusions. Jeremy Black. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [188]-191) And Index. Jeremy Black's revisionist history shows that both thrusting'bourgeois'Protestant states like the Netherlands and Britain prospered and, in Britain's case, became a global power. The'reactionary'Catholic states like Austria and France at various times remained stable until the deluge of the French Revolution.'Absolutism'was no myth, but'absolutist'states still had to rule with consent. Black weaves these themes into a rich and coherent tapestry to give a clear and authoritative picture of the complexities of the early modern period.