Early Modern Court Culture

Through a thematic overview of court culture that connects the cultural with the political, confessional, spatial, material and performative, this volume introduces the dynamics of power and culture in the early modern European court. Exploring the period from 1500 to 1750, Early Modern Court Culture is cross-cultural and interdisciplinary, providing insights into aspects of both community and continuity at courts as well as individual identity, change and difference. Culture is presented as not merely a vehicle for court propaganda in promoting the monarch and the dynasty, but as a site for a complex range of meanings that conferred status and virtue on the patron, maker, court and the wider community of elites. The essays show that the court provided an arena for virtue and virtuosity, intellectual and social play, demonstration of moral authority and performance of social, gendered, confessional and dynastic identity. Early Modern Court Culture moves from political structures and political players to architectural forms and spatial geographies; ceremonial and ritual observances; visual and material culture; entertainment and knowledge. With 35 contributions on subjects including gardens, dress, scent, dance and tapestries, this volume is a necessary resource for all students and scholars interested in the court in early modern Europe. Table of Contents Introduction Erin Griffey Part I: People and political structures: Connecting power 1. Monarchs: Kings and queens regnant, sovereign princes and popes Ronald G. Asch 2. Consorts and court ladies Helen Watanabe-O’Kelly 3. Wider kinship networks Jonathan Spangler 4. Courtiers, ministers and favourites R. Malcolm Smuts 5. Confessors Nicole Reinhardt 6. Aristocrats and nobles Hamish Scott 7. Diplomats Tracey A. Sowerby Part II: Place and space: Negotiating the court 8. Access Dries Raeymaekers 9. Princely residences Elisabeth Narkin 10. Gardens Paula Henderson Part III: Ceremonial and ritual: Observing tradition 11. Religious rituals and the liturgical calendar Paolo Cozzo 12. Childbirth Erin Griffey 13. Marriages Joan-Lluís Palos 14. Coronations Paul Monod 15. Receptions: Triumphal entries, ambassadorial receptions and banquets R.L.M. Morris 16. Funerals Jill Bepler Part IV: Visual and material culture: Furnishing the palace 17. Metalwork Sean Roberts 18. Tapestries Guy Delmarcel 19. Upholstered furnishings, cabinet work and gilt furniture Olivia Fryman 20. Portraiture Lisa Mansfield 21. Display Andrea Bubenik 22. Porcelain rooms Meredith Martin Part 5: Material culture: Dressing the body 23. Jewellery Natasha Awais-Dean 24. Male dress Timothy McCall 25. Female dress Jemma Field 26. Beauty Erin Griffey 27. Scent Holly Dugan Part VI: Entertainment and knowledge: Performing authority 28. Science Alisha Rankin 29. Theatre and opera Sophie Tomlinson 30. Dance Jennifer Nevile 31. Literature Tom Bishop 32. Music Andrew H. Weaver 33. Tournaments and hunting Glenn Richardson 34. Food and dining Ken Albala 35. Games and jokes Johan Verberckmoes