The Age of Reason, also known as the Enlightenment, emerged from
the Protestant Reformation and emphasized reason and individualism, which
was a new thought process . This Enlightenment caused many new writers,
philosophers, and artists to question the traditional authority. The authority that
was most questioned during this period of time was the monarchy.
The various monarchies throughout Europe were afraid that this
movement would be disruptive to the old orders. The Enlightenment raised
questions about the rule of monarchs which made many nobles nervous, and
questioned the authority of the Catholic Church . To these powers that had held
firm control of Europe since the Middle Ages, the writers of the Enlightenment
were a threat that would disrupt their carefully held power
