How should I write about late-medieval centralization in my timeline?

Hello everyone!

A while back, I posted about a possible point of divergence that I wanted to use to start writing my first timeline (Heinrich VI making the Holy Roman Empire hereditary). However, now that I've had time to sit down and actually start writing the timeline, I came across a big problem: My post-industrial era mind can't seem to wrap itself around the mechanics surrounding the decline of feudalism and the rise of centralized government which took place during the 14th - 17th centuries. My question is: How do I accurately write about the changing government, and what should the leaders in my timeline actively do to attempt to centralize their own realms?

Thanks for any help you all can give, and sorry if this is in the wrong sub-forum!
 
I would look at the progress of the other states of Europe as a template. You will need to know them well to do this TL anyway.

1) What factors affected French centralization? 100 Years war, 30 Years War and other religious wars, etc.

2) What factors affected English centralization? Unification with Scotland, Magna Carta, fallout from the Black Death, etc.

3) Spanish Centralization - Reconquistadora, Ferdinand and Isabella's marriage, New World wealth held by the crown

4) Italian decentralization - powerful city states, papal power, French intervention.

Keep going through with Poland, Lithuania, Ottoman Empire, Russia, Austria, Denmark, Sweden and other smaller states. Once you see the interactions between the various parties, both a POD and a path should emerge. Or it doesnt work.

Good luck with your research.
 
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