Organisation: the Court and its Celebrations

Abstract

The royal court was the centre of the early modern state, both politically and culturally. As an institution, the court evolved out of the traditional late-medieval ruler’s household to become a more extensive and sophisticated entity during the late fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The importance of the court, and therefore of studying it as an institution, lies in the scope of its activity. The ruler remained the principal political decision-maker in most states throughout this period. The administration of the state emerged from the management of the ruler’s affairs and expanded as the state became more centralised. Loyal service and proximity to the ruler remained important factors in exercising influence over decision-making, so attendance at court became increasingly important for ambitious nobles. The creation of new posts and responsibilities created a formal hierarchy at court, with prospects akin to the traditional military careers. By the end of the seventeenth century, the elaborate court of Louis XIV at Versailles embodied these developments, with its nobility serving the king in a large number of court posts, and its court celebrations glorifying his image.¹