What was one significant development in the later Middle Ages regarding monarchies?

One significant development in the later Middle Ages was the establishment of strong centralized monarchies. During this period, many European monarchs began to consolidate power by diminishing the influence of feudal lords and increasing their control over land, justice, and taxation. This centralization was crucial for creating more cohesive and unified states, which helped to lay the groundwork for the modern nation-state system.

Factors contributing to the rise of centralized monarchies include the decline of feudalism, the growth of trade and urban centers, and the need for a more organized response to external threats such as invasions or wars. Leaders like France's Louis XI and England's Henry VII played pivotal roles in strengthening their respective crowns, managing to assert authority over once-powerful nobles, and creating more effective bureaucracies. The establishment of strong centralized monarchies also facilitated the growth of national identities and the eventual emergence of absolute monarchy in Europe.

This growth in royal authority during the later Middle Ages marked a significant shift in governance from the decentralized feudal system that characterized earlier periods, leading to more robust and centralized forms of government that would dominate the early modern era.