Introduction / Margaret M. McGowan -- The Political Context of the 1612-1615 Franco-Spanish Treaty / J.H. Elliott -- A Time of Frenzy : Dreams of Union & Aristocratic Turmoil (1610-1615) / Nicolas Le Roux -- Festivities during Elizabeth's Journey to Madrid / David Sánchez-Cano -- Celebrations in Naples and other Italian Cities / Maria Ines Aliverti -- The Carrousel of 1612 and the Festival Book / Marie Baudière -- The Carrousel on the Place Royale : Production, costumes and décor / Monique Chatenet -- The Ballet of Antoine de Pluvinel and the Maneige Royal / Patrice Franchet d'Espèrey -- Competition and Emulation : Music and Dance for the Celebrations in Paris, 1612-1615 / Iain Fenlon -- The Dazzle of Chivalric Devices : Carrousel on the Place Royale / Paulette Choné -- Literary Traditions & their Afterlife / Margaret M. McGowan -- Ambivalent Fictions : The Bordeaux Celebrations of the Wedding of Louis XIII and Anne d'Autriche / Marie-Claude Canova-Green -- Firework Displays in Paris, London and Heidelberg (1612-1615) / Paulette Choné -- The Fêtes of 1612-1615 in History and Historiography / Chantal Grell -- Dynastic Weddings in Personal and Political Contexts : Two Instances / J.R. Mulryne -- Epilogue / Margaret M. McGowan
Summary
The union of the two royal houses - the Habsburgs and the Bourbons - in the early seventeenth century illustrates the extent to which marriage was a tool of government in Renaissance Europe, and festivals a manifestation of power and cultural superiority. With contributions from scholars representing a range of disciplines, this volume provides an all-round view of the sequence of festivals and events surrounding the dynastic marriages which were agreed upon in 1612 but not celebrated until 1615 owing to the constant interruption of festivities by protestant uprisings
