English Constitutionalism: Shared or Concentrated Power

During the past month, we have begun to concern ourselves with the enormous transformations that occurred in Europe in the beginning of the early modern period.  In a thoughtful and carefully crafted essay, please discuss that transformation. Your essay is due by Sunday, October 11 by 11:59pm EST.
In your essay, please focus on:

How did the increased contact with non-Europeans, be it in Western Asia or in the Americas, help undermine the medieval mind’s firm understanding of nature, religion, and government?
How did the renaissance, northern and southern, help lay the groundwork for the reformations of the sixteenth century?
In a thoughtful conclusion, please try to explain the connections between increased contact with non-Europeans, the renaissance, and the reformations.

Requirements for Essays 

Make absolutely, positively sure your essay has a thesis. Your essay should make a point or argument that you support in the paragraphs of your essay.
Since this essay represents your point of view, avoid needlessly emphasizing this point by using “me, myself, and I.”
Use proper English.  Check carefully your spelling, grammar, and style.
Avoid the passive voice.
Maintain one tense.
Be sure subject and predicate agree in number.
Punctuate correctly.
Avoid colloquialisms, slang, and jargon.
Written English frequently differs from spoken English.
Submit your essay in typewritten form.
Have margins of one inch on all sides.
Double-space the lines.
Essay should be between five and six pages in length.
Do not use a font larger than 12-point.
Organize your thoughts into paragraphs that follow from the thesis. Make smooth transitions from one paragraph to the next. The first paragraph should include your thesis.
Above all else, be concise.