Contrary to popular opinion, absolute monarchies were never the norm in [[Medieval Europe]], but [[Feudalism|feudal]] monarchies. What happened was that ''after'' the end of the medieval period, some monarchies sought to increase their power, the prime example being [[France]], which had indeed become an absolute monarchy by the 17th century. [[Louis XIV]] of France epitomizes the rule of an absolute monarch with his declaration ''"L'etat c'est moi. ('I am the state')"''. | Contrary to popular opinion, absolute monarchies were never the norm in [[Medieval Europe]], but [[Feudalism|feudal]] monarchies. What happened was that ''after'' the end of the medieval period, some monarchies sought to increase their power, the prime example being [[France]], which had indeed become an absolute monarchy by the 17th century. [[Louis XIV]] of France epitomizes the rule of an absolute monarch with his declaration ''"L'etat c'est moi. ('I am the state')"''. |