Warfare was often the crucible in which kings proved themselves. Many monarchs forged their reputations on the battlefield. Victories expanded their realms and deterred rebels; failures invited invasion and civil war.

Alexander the Great remains the archetype: leading his armies from Greece to India, he never lost a battle. His conquests spread Hellenistic culture across continents.

Edward III of England, though less sweeping, cemented his reign’s glory by winning crushing victories at Crécy and Poitiers during the Hundred Years’ War, enhancing English prestige.

But even kings who were not natural warriors found success by surrounding themselves with gifted commanders. Louis XIII of France relied heavily on Cardinal Richelieu, whose policies and generals defeated the Habsburgs in the Thirty Years’ War. Likewise, Queen Elizabeth I benefited enormously from naval heroes like Sir Francis Drake and the leadership of Lord Burghley.

Be Economically Prudent

A treasury full of gold gave kings options: to fund armies, build palaces, or patronise the arts. A bankrupt monarchy, by contrast, bred unrest.

Philip II of Spain, despite ruling a globe-spanning empire, declared multiple bankruptcies because his costly wars drained resources faster than New World silver could arrive. This weakened Spanish power in the long run.

By contrast, Louis XI of France, known as the “Universal Spider” for his cunning diplomacy, avoided expensive wars, cultivated trade, and left France financially strong—setting the stage for future power under Francis I and Henry II.

In England, Elizabeth I carefully managed finances, avoided entangling continental wars, and by the end of her reign England was comparatively solvent, ready to expand under the Stuarts. shutdown123