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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.
List of contents
1. Introduction 2. How to convey a bride or groom? Ways and means 3. 'Quite inappropriate to let such a lady travel alone' Entourage 4. 'Her Highness was greeted in every place of this country' Festival and ceremony 5. 'Forget your people and your father's house!' Ritual transition 6. 'The occasion of this sort presents itself rarely' Princess's power and agency on the way 7. 'Now, the day has come, about which I have learned from histories' Memory and praise 8. Conclusion
About the author
Patrik Pastrnak is a postdoctoral researcher at Palacky University, Olomouc. In January 2022, he completed his DPhil in History at the New College, Oxford, where he was the recipient of the Robert Oresko Memorial Scholarship.
Summary
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.
Report
Highly Commended by the Royal Studies Journal for a book published in 2023.
