Question

Warm-up type your response in the box. in europe, many nations are ruled by a monarchy—a royal family of kings and queens. in some countries, monarchies have existed for centuries. what do you think it might have been like to be a monarch 500 years ago? what do you think it might be like to be a monarch today?

Answer 1

500 years ago, being a monarch meant having absolute power and authority, with wealth and social standing determined by birth. Today, monarchs in constitutional monarchies have limited authority and serve as figureheads.

Step-by-step explanation:

500 years ago, being a monarch would have meant having absolute power and authority over a kingdom. The monarch would have had the ability to make all decisions regarding laws, foreign policy, and taxes, without the need for consultation or consent from others. Social standing and wealth were primarily determined by birth and inheritance, with women having limited rights. Monarchs claimed a divine right to rule and often weakened the power of the nobles to ensure their own authority.

Today, being a monarch is mostly a ceremonial role in many constitutional monarchies. Monarchs have limited authority and must abide by the laws of a greater constitution. Their role is largely symbolic, with elected prime ministers holding significant leadership roles. Monarchs are mostly figureheads, representing tradition and providing pageantry in these governments.