Popes and the Papal Court, 1503-1655

Préface
Brings together art historical, social, and political perspectives to provide the first book-length survey of the early modern papal court.

Auteur

Toby Osborne is Senior Lecturer in the Department of History, Durham University, UK.

Texte du rabat

Popes and the Papal Court, 1503-1655 is the first book-length account of the early modern papal court in English. As well as bringing together art historical, social, and political studies in several languages, it contains a wealth of primary source material, such as advice manuals for cardinals and aspiring courtiers, accounts of Roman festivals, reports of visiting ambassadors and news reports from Rome deposited in the Vatican library. The book argues that during the 16th and 17th centuries, popes were conscious to varying degrees of their responsibilities to conserving and enhancing the status of the monarchy as something larger than themselves as individuals or their families, and as such they exhibited some characteristics of dynastic monarchies. Toby Osborne explores how the culture of the papal court and the ways in which it functioned as a point of contact between the ruler, certain elites, and other princes not only had similarities with dynastic states, but also set the standard for court life around Europe. By bringing to light recent scholarship written by continental historians, *Popes and the Papal Court, 1503-165*5 represents an important contribution to the scholarly endeavour to better understand the political culture of the papal states and the workings of the papal monarchy. As such, it will be illuminating reading for all students and scholars interested in early modern court history.

Contenu
Section 1: Papal Monarchs 1. The Popes as Princes 2. To Reign as Long as St. Peter 3. 'Habemus Papam' Section 2: The Papal Court 4. The Pope's Family and the Papal Dynasty 5. 'Ubi pontifex ibi Roma' 6. Papal Palaces Section 3: The Papal Monarchy 7. Cardinals and Barons 8. The Pope's Subjects 9. The Papal States Section 4: Rome - A Theatre State? 10. A Theatre State 11. Princely Visitors 12. Ambassadors in Rome Bibliography Index