How did the nation-states of western Europe evolve in this period?

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Donatello, Gattamelata, 1450The Florentine sculptor Donatello’s bronze statue of the powerful military captain nicknamed Gattamelata (Honey-Cat) mounted on his horse was erected in the public square of Padua. The first bronze equestrian statue made since Roman times, the larger-than-life-size work seems to capture in metal the shrewd and determined type of ruler Machiavelli described in The Prince. (Scala/Art Resource, NY)

BBEGINNING IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY monarchs used aggressive methods to build up their governments. As they built and maintained power, they emphasized royal majesty and royal sovereignty and insisted on the respect and loyalty of all subjects.