Early Modern Diplomacy and French Festival Culture in a European Context, 1572-1615

"This book is the first to explore the rich festival culture of late sixteenth- and early seventeenth-century France as a tool for diplomacy. Bram van Leuveren examines how the late Valois and early Bourbon rulers of the kingdom made conscious use of festivals to advance their diplomatic interests in a war-torn Europe and how diplomatic stakeholders from across the continent participated in and responded to the theatrical and ceremonial events that featured at these festivals. Analysing a large body of multi-lingual eyewitness and commemorative accounts, as well as visual and material objects, Van Leuveren argues that French festival culture operated as a contested site where the diplomatic concerns of stakeholders from various national, religious, and social backgrounds fought for recognition."-- Provided by publisher Contents Acknowledgements Figures Abbreviations Archives Printed primary sources Preliminary Notes Policy on the Use of Language Policy on the Spelling of Original Quotations Policy on the Use of Old and New Style Dates Policy on the Spelling of Names and Places of Publication Introduction 1 Diplomatic Practices 2 Topic and Terminology 3 State of the Field 4 Methodology and Historical Sources 5 Outline of Chapters 1 Unhappy Products of Unhappy Times: European Thought on Diplomacy and Festival Culture 1 Introduction 2 The Humanist Roots of Diplomacy and Festival Culture 3 Practices of Negotiation 4 Practices of Hospitality 5 Practices of Publicisation 6 Conclusion 2 Cross-Confessional Diplomacy: The Parisian Court Festivals of Summer 1572 1 Introduction 2 Diplomatic Context 3 The Ratification Ceremony for the Treaty of Blois, 15 June 1572 4 Banquets and Theatrical Entertainments, 13–20 June 1572 5 The Nuptial Ceremony for the Valois-Navarre Festival, 18 August 1572 6 A Royal Dinner and Theatrical Entertainments, 18–21 August 1572 7 Conclusion 3 Diplomatic (In)Hospitality: Henri III’s Controversial 1 Introduction 2 Diplomatic Context 3 Travelling to Paris, January–February 1585 4 Reception at Court, February–March 1585 5 Conclusion 4 Public and Back-Channel Diplomacy: Broadcasting Reconciliation at the Time of the Edict of Nantes 1 Introduction 2 Diplomatic Context 3 Receiving Catholic and Protestant Allies, Spring 1598 4 Staging Reconciliation, Winter 1600 5 Conclusion 5 Contesting Diplomacies: Continuity and Audience Control at Two Royal Marriages, 1612–1615 1 Introduction 2 Diplomatic Context 3 Winning Support for the Franco-Spanish Double Marriage in Paris, 1612 4 Celebrating the Anglo–German Wedding in London, 1613 5 Celebrating the Franco–Spanish Double Marriage in Paris, 1615 6 Conclusion Conclusion Bibliography 1 Manuscript and Restricted Sources 2 Primary Sources 3 Secondary Sources Index