I think you hit the nail on the head with the last question. Richelieu’s policy followed a long and violent civil war called the Fronde – hence the destroying of castles was now seen as a way to prevent future civil wars from happening. Same principle behind Henry VII’s banning of private retinues, justified by the need to prevent another Wars of the Roses.
I recently read about how Cardinal Richelieu’s policy of centralization involved destroying the non essential castles held by the nobility. My question is, would a similar action be possible in Westeros? I know that most kings would face revolts if they tried, but could a stronger king do so? Or, in the aftermath of a rebellion, could the winner enforce such a policy to permanently curb the loser’s power?
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