Matter(s) of State - Heraldic Display and Discourse in the Early Modern Monarchy (c. 1480?1650)

Heraldic images pervaded early modern politics. In particular, the king's bearings embodied sovereignty and advanced dynastic claims. They became the stuff of legends, as well as the cause of fierce disputes. But when did heraldic adaptation occur? Why was a disrespectful treatment damaging to the politic fabric? By comparing armorial appropriation in the French and Spanish monarchies, Steven Thiry challenges the dominant view of princely image control. Eagles, lilies and lions not only visualized political virtues and vices. Their visual and material dimension imbued them with an agency of their own. Matter(s) of State offers a new insight into the symbolic mindset of the political process. Mystical exaltation, subversive adaptation, and even violent 'heraldic' iconoclasm appear as significant means of debating and even questioning rule.

About the author

Steven Thiry is a postdoctoral fellow of the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), affiliated to Power in History: Centre for Political History of the University of Antwerp. His research focuses on early modern heraldic practices and on the political culture of the Habsburg Netherlands.

Summary

Heraldic images pervaded early modern politics. In particular, the king’s bearings embodied sovereignty and advanced dynastic claims. They became the stuff of legends, as well as the cause of fierce disputes. But when did heraldic adaptation occur? Why was a disrespectful treatment damaging to the political fabric? By comparing armorial appropriation in the French and Spanish monarchies, Steven Thiry challenges the dominant view of princely image control. Eagles, lilies and lions not only visualized political virtues and vices. Their visual and material dimension imbued them with an agency of their own. Matter(s) of State offers a new insight into the symbolic mindset of the political process. Mystical exaltation, subversive adaptation, and even violent ‘heraldic’ iconoclasm appear as significant means of debating and even questioning rule.

Product details

• Authors: Steven Thiry
• Assisted by: Edited by Torsten Hiltmann and Laurent Hablot (Editor), Hablot (Editor), Hablot (Editor), Torste Hiltmann (Editor), Torsten Hiltmann (Editor), Laurent Hablot (Editor of the series), Torsten Hiltmann (Editor of the series)
• Publisher: Jan Thorbecke Verlag
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.07.2018
• EAN: 9783799510929
• ISBN: 978-3-7995-1092-9
• No. of pages: 402
• Illustrations: mit etwa 50, zumeist farbigen Abbildungen
• Series: Heraldic Studies; Heraldic Studies
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History; Geschichte, Dynastie, Europa, Frankreich, Lilie, Spanien, Sozial- und Kulturgeschichte, Europäische Geschichte, Monarchie, Geschichte: Ereignisse und Themen, Frühe Neuzeit, Königtum, Burgund, auseinandersetzen, Heraldik, Herrsachaftsdesign, heraldische Symbole