Court+and+Civic+Society+in+the+Burgundian+Low+Countries%2C+pp.+36-49%2C+210-215

Court and Civic Society in the Burgundian Low Countries c. 1420-1530

Overview

• Authors: Andrew Brown and Graeme Small

• Publisher: Manchester University Press

• Focus: Explores the relationship between the court and civic society in the Burgundian territories, particularly from 1420 to 1530.

I: Burgundian Spectacles

1. The Feast of the Pheasant at Lille (17 February 1454)

• Context: A grand banquet organized by Duke Philip the Good to signify a commitment to crusading activities.

• Huizinga's View: Suggested that the extravagant event was more about chivalric fantasy than serious intent.

• Modern Historians' Perspective: They argue for Philip's genuine crusading intentions, evidenced by his actions before and after the Feast.

• Symbolic Meaning: The event served political purposes and meant to reinforce Philip's control over the nobility.

• Attendees: Exclusively included high nobility from Burgundian territories, emphasizing strict social hierarchies.

The Spectacle of the Feast

• Entertainment and Symbolism: Involved jousts and representations that referenced crusading themes and conveyed messages of unity and authority.

• The Role of Olivier de la Marche: Provided a firsthand account of the Feast, claiming the role of 'Holy Church' at the event.

• Crusading Intent: Most vows taken during the Feast were seen as binding commitments, intended to create a unified front against the Turkish threat.

• Criticism of Crusading Motives: Some debates exist regarding whether the vows were genuinely pious or politically motivated.

Significance of the Feast

• Creating Community: The Feast aimed to foster a sense of belonging among nobles and demonstrate the strength of Burgundian authority.

• Urban Involvement: Although the event was exclusive, it required the participation of urban artisans, tradespeople, and the crafting of ceremonial elements, linking cities to court spectacles.

• Political and Social Goals: The Feast not only celebrated victories but also sought to reinforce the duke's authority and quell recent rebellions.

V: Civic Society and the Court: Jousts, Shooting Fraternities, and Chambers of Rhetoric

Introduction to Festive Urban Society

• Activities: Contests of jousters, archers, and poets were a defining feature of urban life in the Low Countries during the fifteenth century.

• Origins of Shooting Guilds: Traced back to military roles from late thirteenth to early fourteenth centuries; these guilds fostered social connections beyond their military purpose.

Role of Civic Festivals

• Community Engagement: Jousts were opportunities for civic pride and social standing among townsfolk and nobility alike, often organized and subsidized by towns.

• Civic Participation: Town economies benefited from these events through the engagement of local artisans and trade.

• Connection to Rulership: Dukes like Philip the Good actively participated in these civic events to strengthen social ties and exert authority within their domains.

Rhetoric Chambers

• Emergence and Functions: Rhetoric chambers flourished by the third decade of the fifteenth century and included performance arts and literary competitions.

• Civic and Religious Dimensions: While participating in grand civic spectacles, they maintained ties to religious themes to reflect community values.

• Social Standing: Members of shooting guilds often came from well-off backgrounds, with roles reflecting urban hierarchies.

Decline of Traditional Events

• Political Unrest: By the end of the fifteenth century, the costs and societal demands associated with jousting led to reduced participation, paralleling a broader shift in civic organization regarding public morality and behavior.

• Rhetoric vs. Political Goals: As civic autonomy declined, rhetoric and festive events took on a more pronounced role in political discourse, occasionally posing threats to the state.

• Conclusion: The evolution in the nature of urban civic engagement reflects broader societal changes within the Burgundian Low Countries, showcasing the intertwined roles of courtly authority and civic identity.