Principality

A principality is a monarchial feudatory or sovereign state , whose monarch isa prince . The term is also sometimes used as a general term for other small sovereignstates led by lesser royalty, as for instance Grand Duchies , whose monarch isa Grand Duke or Grand Duchess. No sovereign duchy currently exists, but Luxembourg is a surviving example of asovereign grand duchy.

Principalities have existed in ancient and modern civilizations of Africa , Asia ,(the Indian Princely states wereruled by kings called Princes by the British), Europe and Oceania . Surviving principalities include Andorra , Liechtenstein , Monaco and Wales , but notable principalities existed until the early 20th century in various regions of France , Germany , Italy , Portugal , and Spain .

An ecclesiastical form of principality exists in the RomanCatholic Church in the form of an archdiocese led by a cardinal , the principal papal elector.

Development

Though principalities existed in antiquity, before the height of the RomanEmpire , the modern principality as it is known today was developed in the Middle Ages between 350 and 1450 when feudalism was the primary economic system employed by Eurasian societies. Feaudalism increased the power of local princes to govern the king's lands. As princescontinued to gain more power over time, the authority of the king was diminished in many places. This led to politicalfragmentation and the king's lands were broken into ministates led by princes and dukes who wielded absolute power over theterritories. This was especially prevalent in Europe .

Renaissance

During the period known as the Renaissance from 1200 to 1500 , principalities were engaged in constant warfare with eachother as royal houses asserted sovereignty over smaller principalities. These wars caused a great deal of instability andeconomies were destroyed. To add insult to injury, the bubonic plague reduced the power of principalities to survive independently. But eventually, agricultural successes, development of new goodsand services to trade and patronization by the Roman Catholic Church boosted commerce between principalities. These states becamewealthy and expanded their territories and improved the services provided to their citizens. Princes and dukes developed theirlands, established new ports and chartered large thriving cities. Some took their new found wealth and built the first palacesand elaborate government offices people now associate with principalities.

Consolidation

While some principalities prospered in their independence, less successful states were swallowed by stronger royal houses.Europe saw consolidation of small principalities into larger kingdoms and empires. This trend directly led to the creation ofsuch states as Great Britain , France , Portugal and Spain .Another form of consolidation was orchestrated in Italy during the Renaissance by the Medici family. A banking family from Florence , the Medici took control of governance in various Italian regionsand even assumed the papacy . They then appointed family members to become princes andassured their protection by the Medici-controlled Vatican.

Nationalism

Nationalism , the belief that the nation-state is the best vehicle torealize the aspirations of a people became popular in the late 19thcentury . Characteristic of nationalism is the preference for loyalty to the people instead of loyalty to monarchs. With thisdevelopment, principalities fell out of favor. As a compromise, many principalities united with neighboring regions and adoptedconstitutional forms of governance with the monarch as a mere figurehead while administration was left at the hands of electedparliaments. The trend after World War II was the abolition of variousforms of monarchy like principalities and the creation of republican governments led by popularly elected presidents.

See also

• Category:Principalities