1. Rise of Nation-States: The war contributed to the rise of national consciousness and the development of nation-states. The competing monarchies began to consolidate their territories, unify their populations, and assert their sovereignty against the power of feudal lords and the Church.
2. Centralized Authority: The military demands of the war led to a centralization of power in the hands of monarchs. To raise funds and troops, monarchs increased their authority over regional lords, expanded taxation systems, and developed bureaucratic structures.
3. Taxation Systems: The need to finance the prolonged conflict led to the introduction and development of new taxation systems. Taxes were imposed on a wider range of the population, including peasants and merchants, which gradually shifted the economic burden from the aristocracy to the common people.
4. Mercenary Armies: The war saw the rise of mercenary armies as monarchs began to hire professional soldiers rather than rely solely on feudal levies. Mercenary armies provided more effective and flexible forces but also increased the cost of warfare.
5. Decline of Feudalism: The war contributed to the decline of feudalism as a dominant form of social and political organization. The loyalty of feudal lords to their monarchs was tested during the war, and the emergence of centralized monarchies weakened the power and influence of feudal lords.
6. Rise of Standing Armies: The prolonged conflict led to the development of standing armies, which were maintained during peacetime. This shift changed the nature of warfare and preparedness for future conflicts.
7. Influence of the Church: The war weakened the influence of the Church in political affairs. The power and prestige of the papacy declined as monarchs asserted their authority and took control over religious matters within their territories.
8. Social Changes: The war brought about social and economic changes, including the emancipation of serfs, the growth of urban economies, and the emergence of merchant classes. These changes laid the foundation for later economic, social, and cultural transformations.
The Hundred Years' War left a lasting legacy on European governments, leading to the consolidation of nation-states, the decline of feudalism, and the rise of centralized monarchies with increased authority and control over their territories.