What determined success or failure in Renaissance monarchy? Why was warfare endemic in Europe in the early sixteenth century and how did the great cultural and artistic changes of the period flourish amid this conflict? How did rival kings relate to each other and what steps did they each take to strengthen their monarchies? In short, how did they govern? "Renaissance Monarchy" approaches these and related issues in a revealing way, providing the first single-volume comparative history of the most renowned kings of the Renaissance: the Holy Roman Empire Charles V, Francis I of France and Henry VIII of England. Bringing these three kings together, out of the relative isolation in which they are each studied, it adds a fresh dimension to our understanding of contemporary ideals of kingship and reveals how these monarchs strove to be regarded as great warriors, effective governors and generous patrons.

Table of Contents

Ideals; warriors; warfare; peacemakers; political patrons; governor; artistic patrons; Venice.

About the Author

Glenn Richardson is Senior Lecturer in History at St Mary's University College, UK

Prizes

Provides the first general revisionist account of Renaissance Monarchy Focuses on the key monarchs of the age: Henry VIII, Francis I, and Charles V Strongly comparative framework

Reviews

In its lucid treatment of so many themes, this book will be invaluable to students of the early modern period. History Richardson's book is fluently written, clearly structured and judicious in its conclusions; it will provide a useful introduction to the work done in recent decades on these three fascinating princes. English Historical Review