Patrik Pastrnak – författare

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.

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.

Through wide-ranging thematic chapters, this book offers students a comprehensive introduction to the theory and practice of monarchy across Europe in the Middle Ages.

The volume is separated into four themes: Concepts of Rulership, Exercising Authority, Dynasty and Succession, and Ritual and Representation. Each theme has four chapters that give the student an overview of key concepts supported by rich examples taken from monarchies across Europe, both in the text and in the Spotlight and Source Studies. The textbook offers an examination of areas which are frequently overlooked, such as the Balkan region, the Scandinavian kingdoms, and the Crusader States in the Latin East. In addition, a prologue, written by Rutger Kramer, discusses the legacy of the Carolingians on medieval rulership, and an epilogue places the monarchies of medieval Europe in context with their global counterparts. Further reading suggestions at the end of each chapter will help students develop their knowledge of medieval monarchy and the history of rulers and realms of the period.

Exploring Monarchy in Medieval Europe, 1000–1500 is a foundational text for courses on medieval monarchy as well as a useful supplementary text for students of medieval European history.