pre 1450 (our class) we are still finishing the Dark Ages. During this time, you had WEAK kings and no real strong nations. After 1450, you have monarchs gain more and more power. 100 years war give national conscience to france AND england. Both countries unite around being their nationality. They'll also unite around having a king. However..........one group will not be happy about this. The nobility. The nobility HATE. HATe.HATE the idea of a strong central govt; a KING who controls the whole country. THEY WILL CHALLENGE their KING THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE YEAR!!!! In england, the Tudors will rule. In France, the Valois, in Spain the unification of the country behind the Aragon and Castille houses. These monarchs will create strong central govs. They can tax, they can raise standing armies (a permanent, professional army) The kings will grow to hate the nobility, too. They will do whatever they can to punish and neutralize the nobility.