The Princely Courts of Europe 1500-1750

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Summary: Social competition at the highest level . . .
Review: Any aristocracy wants to extend its influence socially and geographically, and its first task in that pursuit is to be noticed, especially by means of very conspicuous consumption. In Europe between the Renaissance and the French Revolution, this meant the development of the court as probably the most important influence in a nation's political and cultural life. This lush volume surveys twelve of the great courts, from England, France, Russia, and Spain, to the princely establishments of Florence, Savoy, and Bavaria, as well as the singular oddity of the papal court in Rome. In addition to the pretty pictures -- which are very numerous -- the specialist authorities who wrote the chapters have investigated and largely reinterpreted the fuction of the European court. Whom, exactly, were they designed to impress? Were they really instruments of absolutism? How did they function, day to day? The picture that results is much more subtle than one might suppose, especially in the subject of power and patronage.

Rating:
Summary: Great book, great price !
Review: The paperback edition at ... approx is a great value. It has 350 pages of scrumptious illustrations on thick glossy paper. I've been looking for a book on how it was to live at court. The book has 35 pg on each of 10 or so courts of Europe. It talks about court procedure & ritual, not dates, facts, politics, policy. Philippe Erlanger wrote a similar book (The Age of Courts & Kings, probably out of print)some years ago. His book is more anecdotal. I like this new book better since it talks to court procedure, i.e. what you were supposed to do at court. If the book has a weak spot, it is that I would rather have more info on fewer courts. Also, some a priori knowledge is helpful, this is not a beginner's book on the period.

Rating:
Summary: Details and Illustrations
Review: This is a great reference book. It helped place several courts in perspective: Sabaudian, Wittelsbach, and Medici, for example, while giving important details of the machinations of others like the Swedish and House of Orange. The illustrations of the various palaces demonstrate the importance of architecture in both the image and organization of routines at court. Political aspects of the hunt, the importance of staircases, the role of mistresses, the location of the court and art as prestige are all considered. Like the other reviewer noted, it's not for beginners.

Rating:
Summary: Details and Illustrations
Review: This is a great reference book. It helped place several courts in perspective: Sabaudian, Wittelsbach, and Medici, for example, while giving important details of the machinations of others like the Swedish and House of Orange. The illustrations of the various palaces demonstrate the importance of architecture in both the image and organization of routines at court. Political aspects of the hunt, the importance of staircases, the role of mistresses, the location of the court and art as prestige are all considered. Like the other reviewer noted, it's not for beginners.