Spanish Architecture, El Greco, and Authoritarian Monarchies in 15th-16th Century Europe

Spanish Architecture

There were three main styles:

• The Plateresque style of abundant decoration developed in the early 16th century. The facade of Salamanca University is an outstanding example.
• In the Classicist style, the harmony of a building was more important than its decoration. The palace of Carlos V in the Alhambra in Granada was built in the Classicist style, but this never became widespread in Spain.
• The Herrerian style became influential in the second half of the 16th century. Buildings were characterized by their sobriety and almost total lack of decoration. The monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, designed by Juan de Herrera, was the most famous example.

El Greco

El Greco, originally named Domenikos Theotokopoulos, was born in Crete. As a young man, he trained as an artist making icons in the Byzantine Style. Later, he traveled to Venice, where his painting was strongly influenced by Titian. He wanted to work on the decoration of the monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. With this in mind, he presented Felipe II with the painting "The Martyrdom of Saint Maurice", but it was rejected. El Greco then went to Toledo where he lived until his death. In Toledo he painted masterpieces like "The Burial of the Count of Orgaz" and "The Nobleman with his Hand on his Chest".

Authoritarian Monarchies

In the 15th century, European monarchs created authoritarian monarchies. They strengthened their authority by reducing the powers of the nobility, the Church, and the municipalities.

• They created a centralized administration: officials were at the king's service.
• They formed permanent royal armies, which followed the monarch's orders.
• They limited the powers of the representative assemblies.
• They increased taxes to pay for the civil service and the army.
• They created a diplomatic service to defend their interests abroad.

The royal court no longer traveled around as in the Middle Ages. The king's place of residence eventually became a national capital.

European Kings

• France: Carlos VII
• Spain: Catholic Monarchs
• Portugal: John II
• England: Henry VIII
• Russia: Ivan the Great, later named Ivan the Terrible

Royal Authority

• They founded the Holy Brotherhood (Santa Hermandad), which kept order.
• They created a permanent professional army.
• They created courts of justice (chancillerias).
• They controlled the municipalities through administrators called corregidores.
• They created a number of royal councils (consejos), which advised the monarch on how to govern.
• They reorganized the Treasury (Hacienda) to increase their income.

Revolts

• The Revolt of the Comuneros
• The Revolt of the Brotherhoods

The Rivalry with France

France was Spain's main rival:

• Carlos V fought Francis I of France for control of Italy after the French King occupied Milan. The Spanish tercios defeated the French at the Battle of Pavia.
• Felipe II defeated the French at the Battle of Saint Quentin. The Peace of Cateau-Cambrésis ensured Spain's domination for several decades.