The men that held power in towns in medieval times were the bishops, priests, kings, queens, and the landlords.
With the pope but some power went to the counts as well.
If you had land, you had power. The more land you had, the more powerful you became. You could influence the government if you wanted to, with just land.
It was the center of business so people used it as a hub as they often do with cities like London. The king resided there as well so that also made it a seat of power.
Reasons for growth were improvements in agriculture and the revival of trade.
During periods of no centralized authority in medieval Europe, such as after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, local nobles and feudal lords often obtained power. They established their own territories and maintained control through military strength and alliances. The feudal system emerged, where loyalty and service were exchanged for protection and land. As a result, these local leaders became the primary authority figures in their regions, often filling the vacuum left by the absence of a central government.
The citizens.
The one most powerful individual in Medieval Europe was Charlemagne.
With the pope but some power went to the counts as well.
In medieval Europe the Roman Catholic Church experienced an affect on its power due to two reasons. The first was the discovery and conquest of the Americas. The second was the Protestant Reformation.
the church
What was medieval Ghana's time line of power
John Hine Mundy has written: 'Liberty and political power in Toulouse' -- subject(s): History 'Europe in the High Middle Ages, 1150-1309' -- subject(s): Civilization, Medieval, History, Medieval Civilization, Middle Ages 'Studies in the ecclesiastical and social history of Toulouse in the age of the Cathars' -- subject(s): Social conditions, Albigenses, Church history, History 'The medieval town' -- subject(s): Cities and towns, Medieval, Medieval Cities and towns 'High Middle Ages, 1150-1309' -- subject(s): Civilization, Medieval, History, Medieval Civilization, Middle Ages 'Studies In The Ecclesiastical And Social History Of Toulouse In The Age Of The Cathars (Church, Faith and Culture in the Medieval West) (Church, Faith ... Faith and Culture in the Medieval West)' -- subject(s): Social conditions, Albigenses, Church history, History
Italy was one of the most important countries in Europe at the time. Spiritual and religious power because of the Popes, and economical power because of all the important Lords and Vassals. They were one of the richest countries in the world and because of this led Europe in commercial growth.
If you had land, you had power. The more land you had, the more powerful you became. You could influence the government if you wanted to, with just land.
Hans J Hummer has written: 'Politics and power in early medieval Europe' -- subject(s): Politics and government, History
The age of absolute monarchy in medieval Europe is often attributed to King Louis XIV of France, who reigned from 1643 to 1715. He famously declared, "L'état, c'est moi" ("I am the state"), embodying the principle of absolute rule where the monarch holds supreme authority. Louis XIV centralized power, diminished the influence of the nobility, and established a strong, centralized state, setting a precedent for later absolute monarchs across Europe. His reign marked a significant shift towards the consolidation of royal power in the late medieval period.
Absolute monarchs of medieval Europe typically employed methods such as centralizing authority, controlling the nobility, and using military force to preserve their power. However, they did not commonly use democratic processes or popular consent, as these would contradict the principles of absolute monarchy. Instead, they relied on hereditary rule and divine right to legitimize their authority.