Security of the Political and Social Position of the...

Security of the Political and Social Position of the Nobility in Early Modern Europe The nobility of early modern Europe were descended on the whole from the mounted knights of medieval armies who had been granted land along with social and political privileges and had subsequently formed a higher social class. Between 1500-1789 the status of the aristocracy came under threat both politically and socially. The rise of ‘absolutism’ within the monarchies of Europe led to the desire of governments to reduce noble power and bypass several of their privileges in order to increase state revenue and centralise governmental control. The growth of the middle classes and the destruction of the feudal system†¦show more content†¦Thirdly the nobility experienced a crisis of identity and a loss of purpose as their status decreased and there was a â€Å"general relaxation of reverence†[3]. The exercise of arms had been an intrinsic element in proving a noble’s worth but after 1500 â€Å"letters were often disassociated from arms and proved a far more certain road to wealth and nobility that the life of the warrior†[4] and an education became as important as military prowess had been previously. This is another example of the nobility being forced to adapt to the social pressures of the period. As the middle classes grew they forced the nobility to change its outlook and modernise to keep up with the rest of society or become diminished and backwards. Educational standards also enabled the nobles to be â€Å"judged by the universal standards of achievement rather than birth†[5]. This demonstrates the changing attitudes of the lower classes as they began to require justification of the nobility’s high status. The nobility’s high social position was confirmed by their privileges, which â€Å"firmly distinguished noble from commoner†[6]. 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