Final answer:
The early English conquests in Europe set precedents such as the consolidation of power, hindered exploration and colonization efforts, and a focus on colonization in Ireland.
Step-by-step explanation:
The early English conquests in Europe set several precedents. Firstly, the conquests led to the consolidation of power in England and France as nation-states in the twelfth to fifteenth centuries. This consolidation allowed the rulers to exert greater influence over their subjects and lay the foundation for their colonial ventures in the New World. Secondly, the constant state of war between England and France, as well as the emergence of the Protestant Reformation, hindered their exploration and colonization efforts, causing them to lag behind other European powers. Lastly, English colonization efforts in the 1500s were primarily focused on Ireland rather than venturing further overseas.