Bringing together a variety of evidence, such as princely correspondence, travelogues, financial accounts, chronicles, chivalric or Renaissance poems, this book examines marital travels of princely brides and grooms on a comparative trans-European scale.
This book argues that these journeys were extraordinary events and were instrumental for dynastical and monarchical self-representation, and channelled aspirations and anxieties of princely houses when facing each other. Each such journey was a little earthquake that resonated across all layers of society. Hundreds of diplomats, envoys, aristocrats, city officials, low-status personnel, soldiers, artists, musicians, poets, and humanists were involved in preparing, executing, and commemorating them. Stretching far beyond the mere physical movements of the future royal spouse, the journeys snowballed into a myriad of other meanings that epitomised the very character of a society based on prestige, magnificence, honour, and glory. The story of nuptial travelling is fascinating and rich; it is a perfect condensation of monarchical order, dynastic agenda, value system, personal motives, female agency, and social networks in this period. It is dynasty in motion, prestige on wheels, queenly time, place, and time like no other.
This volume is the perfect resource for upper-level students and scholars of court studies, the history of monarchy, and for those interested in premodern Europe.
Author(s): Patrik Pastrnak
Series: Themes in Medieval and Early Modern History
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 296
City: London
Cover
Half Title
Series Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Table of Contents
List of Figures
List of Maps
List of Tables
Acknowledgements
List of Abbreviations
Note on Terminology, Titles, Personal Names, and Geographical Locations
1 Introduction
Historical Background
2 How to Convey a Bride or Groom? Ways and Means
Planning the Route
Planning the Time
The Means of Travel
Lodgings
3 ‘Quite Inappropriate to Let Such a Lady Travel Alone.’ Entourage
Who was in? Composition and Structure of Wedding Entourage
Why So Great? Rules and Trespassing of Them
Who Could Be the Princess’s Companion?
Marital Symmetry: The Other Wedding Party Objections
Why to Join? Motivations of Travel Companions
Maintaining Moral Profile
4 ‘Her Highness was Greeted in Every Place of This Country.’ Festival and Ceremony
Public Festivals and Spectacles
Festivisation
Hosting a Foreign Prince(ss)
Sacred Ceremonies
5 “Forget Your People and Your Father’s House!” Ritual Transition
Farewell and Separation
Incorporation
Handing-Over Ceremony?
Meeting the Spouse
Tokens of Incorporation
6 ‘The Occasion of This Sort Presents Itself Rarely.’ Princess’s Power and Agency on the Way
Getting into the Role
Learning Language
Power and Agency
Social Networking
7 ‘Now, The Day Has Come, About Which I Have Learned From Histories.’ Memory and Praise
Triumph and Joy
Toil and Hardship
8 Conclusion
Appendix 1 Maps
Appendix 2 Glossary of Prince(sse)s and Journeys
Bibliography
Index
