The Crusades required enormous resources, both in terms of manpower and money. To raise these resources, European monarchs had to increase their power and authority. They did this by:
- Raising taxes
- Imposing new laws and regulations
- Expanding their control over the church and the nobility
2. Weakened the power of the nobility:
Many nobles were killed or impoverished during the Crusades. This created an opportunity for monarchs to assert their authority over the nobility and reduce their power.
3. Led to the rise of new social classes:
The Crusades also led to the rise of new social classes, such as the merchant class and the urban middle class. These new classes were often more loyal to the monarchy than the nobility, and they helped to strengthen the power of the state.
4. Increased contact with other cultures:
The Crusades brought Europeans into contact with other cultures, such as the Islamic and Byzantine cultures. This led to a greater exchange of ideas and knowledge, which had a profound impact on European society and thought.
5. Led to the development of new technologies:
The Crusades also led to the development of new technologies, such as the crossbow and the siege engine. These new technologies were later used in warfare and helped to change the way that wars were fought.
In conclusion, the Crusades had a significant impact on the government of Europe. They led to increased royal power, weakened the power of the nobility, and fostered the development of new social classes. The Crusades also increased contact with other cultures and led to the development of new technologies, all of which had a profound impact on European society and thought.