War, state, and society in England and the Netherlands : 1477-1559

## Abstract Historians have long debated the effects of war on state formation in early modern Europe. Did military competition increase rulers' power over their subjects and forge more modern states, or did the strains of war break down political and administrative systems? This book seeks a rounded answer to these questions by comparing England and the Netherlands in the age of warrior princes such as Henry VIII and Charles V. It examines the development of new military and fiscal institutions, but goes beyond them to ask how mobilization for war changed political relationships throughout society. Towns in England, such as Norwich, York, Exeter, and Rye, are compared with towns in the Netherlands, such as Antwerp, Leiden, 's-Hertogenbosch, and Valenciennes, to see how the magistrates' relations with central government and the urban populace were modified by war. Great noblemen from the Howard and Percy families are set alongside their equivalents from the houses of Croÿ and Egmond to examine the role of recruitment, army command, and heroic reputation in maintaining the power of the nobility. The wider interactions of subjects and rulers in wartime are reviewed to measure how effectively war extended princes' claims on their subjects' loyalty and service; their ambitions to control news and public opinion and to promote national identity; and their ability to manage the economy and harness religious change to dynastic purposes. The book presents picture of societies and polities tested and shaped by the pressures of ever more demanding warfare. Exploring the effects of war on state power in early modern Europe, this book asks if military competition increased rulers' power over their subjects and forged more modern states, or if the strains of war break down political and administrative systems. Comparing England and the Netherlands in the age of warrior princes such as Henry VIII and Charles V, it examines the development of new military and fiscal institutions, and asks how mobilization for war changed political relationships throughout society. Towns in England, such as Norwich, York, Exeter, and Rye, are compared with towns in the Netherlands, such as Antwerp, Leiden, 's-Hertogenbosch and Valenciennes, to see how the magistrates' relations with central government and the urban populace were modified by war. Great noblemen from the Howard and Percy families are set alongside their equivalents from the houses of Cro and Egmond to examine the role of recruitment, army command, and heroic reputation in maintaining noble power. The wider interactions of subjects and rulers in wartime are reviewed to measure how effectively war extended princes' claims on their subjects' loyalty and service, their ambitions to control news and opinion and to promote national identity, and their ability to manage the economy and harness religious change to dynastic purposes. The result is a compelling but nuanced picture of societies and polities tested and shaped by the pressures of ever more demanding warfare. Exploring the effects of war on state power in early modern Europe, this book asks if military competition increased rulers'power over their subjects and forged more modern states, or if the strains of war broke down political and administrative systems. Comparing England and the Netherlands in the age of warrior princes such as Henry VIII and Charles V, it examines the development of new military and fiscal institutions, and asks how mobilization for war changed political relationships throughout society. Towns in England, such as Norwich, York, Exeter, and Rye, are compared with towns in the Netherlands, such as Antwerp, Leiden,'s-Hertogenbosch and Valenciennes, to see how the magistrates'relations with central government and the urban populace were modified by war. Great noblemen from the Howard and Percy families are set alongside their equivalents from the houses of Cro and Egmond to examine the role of recruitment, army command, and heroic reputation in maintaining noble power. The wider interactions of subjects and rulers in wartime are reviewed to measure how effectively war extended princes'claims on their subjects'loyalty and service, their ambitions to control news and opinion and to promote national identity, and their ability to manage the economy and harness religious change to dynastic purposes. The result is a compelling but nuanced picture of societies and polities tested and shaped by the pressures of ever more demanding warfare. Contents......Page 8 Note on Currency and Conventions......Page 10 List of Abbreviations......Page 11 Maps......Page 13 I: WAR AND THE STATE......Page 16 1. Polities at War......Page 18 2. Military Institutions and Fiscal Growth......Page 35 II: TOWNS AT WAR......Page 54 3. Introduction......Page 56 4. Urban Military Resources......Page 66 5. Life During Wartime......Page 89 6. War and Urban Government......Page 102 7. Towns in the Polity......Page 120 8. War, Towns, and the State......Page 137 III: NOBLES AT WAR......Page 140 9. Introduction......Page 142 10. The Military Resources of the Nobility......Page 153 11. Nobles in Command......Page 170 12. Costs and Rewards......Page 192 13. War and Noble Power......Page 208 14. War and Noble Identity......Page 230 15. War, Nobles, and the State......Page 247 IV: SUBJECTS AT WAR......Page 250 16. Introduction......Page 252 17. Obligations......Page 255 18. Information and Response......Page 272 19. The Trials of War......Page 288 20. War and Identity......Page 309 21. War, Subjects, and the State......Page 338 V: CONCLUSION......Page 342 War, State, and Society......Page 344 Bibliography......Page 350 A......Page 390 B......Page 391 C......Page 392 D......Page 394 E......Page 395 F......Page 396 G......Page 397 H......Page 398 I......Page 399 L......Page 400 M......Page 401 O......Page 403 P......Page 404 R......Page 405 S......Page 406 T......Page 407 V......Page 408 Y......Page 409 Z......Page 410 Comparing The Effects Of War On Two Early Modern States, England And The Netherlands, This Book Tests The Idea That War Increased Rulers' Power Over Their Subjects. Including Detailed Studies Of Towns And Noblemen In Both Countries, It Explores Wider Themes Such As National Identity, News Culture, Economic Policy, And Religious Change. War And The State -- Polities At War -- Military Institutions And Fiscal Growth -- Towns At War -- Introduction -- Urban Military Resources -- Life During Wartime -- War And Urban Government -- Towns In The Polity -- War, Towns, And The State -- Nobles At War -- Introduction -- The Military Resources Of The Nobility -- Nobles In Command -- Costs And Rewards -- War And Noble Power -- War And Noble Identity -- War, Nobles, And The State -- Subjects At War -- Introduction -- Obligations -- Information And Response -- The Trials Of War -- War And Identity -- War, Subjects, And The State -- Conclusion -- War, State, And Society. Steven Gunn, David Grummitt, And Hans Cools. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [335]-374) And Index. Exploring the effects of war on state power in early modern Europe, this book asks if military competition increased rulers' power over their subjects and forged more modern states, or if the strains of war broke down political and administrative systems. Comparing England and the Netherlands in the age of warrior princes such as Henry VIII and Charles V, it examines the development of new military and fiscal institutions, and asks how mobilization for war changed politicalrelationships throughout society. Towns in England, such as Norwich, York, Exeter, and Rye, are compared with towns in the "Comparing England and the Netherlands in the age of warrior princes such as Henry VIII and Charles V, the book examines the development of new military and fiscal institutions, and asks how mobilzation for war changed political relationships throughout society." --Résumé de l'éditeur