Historiebogen

Fremtiden er lys ... for nogen

Now the wealth flows to Europe, but the merchants who have to sell the goods are charged customs duties, bridge tolls and other expenses by the petty princes. They feel taxed and look around for support in their fight against the princes. They find this support in the king - the landowner of all landowners. The king is also interested in crushing the power of the princes and becoming an absolute ruler. The merchants supply the king with weapons and money to pay the soldiers. Throughout the 14th and 15th centuries, wars rage across most of Europe; the merchants and landowners fight for power. The wars result in the king's victory over the petty princes, and the first real nation-states are formed. Customs and other taxes are abolished within the borders of the individual states.