Nobilities in Transition 1550-1700 Courtiers

Nobilities in Transition explores the transformation of the nobility in the late 16th and 17th centuries. This book looks at political and social changes, examines the impact princely courts had on noblemen and women and their way of life and analyses issues such as the 'refeudalization' ofstate and society in southern Europe or the increasing urbanization of noble elites in the period under discussion. While paying due attention to the great heterogeneity of the nobility in Europe it nevertheless shows how the adherence to common values and ideals nevertheless gave noble elitescoherence and a shared sense of identity.

Ronald G. Asch is Professor of History, Universitat Freiburg, Germany

Preface

ix

Abbreviations

xi

Introduction

1

(8)

1 Status and the quest for exclusiveness: the foundations of noble identity

9

(21)

Introduction

9

(2)

From customary to statutory definitions of nobility

11

(9)

Varieties of noble status in the Holy Roman Empire

20

(3)

The populous nobilities of the European periphery: Poland and Castile

23

(2)

England: a special case?

25

(3)

Conclusion

28

(2)

2 The changing landscape of noble society

30

(25)

Introduction

30

(1)

Numbers: the size of noble elites in Europe

31

(2)

Town and country: rural and urban nobilities

33

(5)

Rich and poor: magnate and country squire

38

(6)

The quintessential magnate class: the Habsburg titled aristocracy

44

(5)

The triumph of the squirearchy? The English gentry

49

(4)

Conclusion

53

(2)

3 Education, religion and civility

55

(25)

Introduction

55

(1)

Education

56

(5)

Religion and piety c.1550-1660

61

(6)

Religious change in the late seventeenth century

67

(3)

Civility and the decline of noble violence

70

(8)

Conclusion

78

(2)

4 The court: prison or showcase of noble life?

80

(21)

Introduction

80

(1)

The Italian Cortegiano as a social model for the nobility

81

(3)

The French honnête homme

84

(2)

The political culture of the court

86

(3)

The perfect courtier: the rise and fall of the favourite

89

(3)

Versailles and the French nobility under Louis XIV

92

(3)

Germany and the imperial court

95

(3)

Conclusion

98

(3)

5 Resistance and rebellion

101

(24)

Introduction

101

(2)

Religion and revolt

103

(9)

Frondes and Frondeurs: the courtier turned rebel

112

(7)

Provincial elites and noble rebellion

119

(3)

Conclusion

122

(3)

6 Noble power and state formation: towards a new symbiosis?

125

(25)

Introduction

125

(1)

Warfare and noble power

126

(7)

A high road to absolutism? Nobility and state in France

133

(6)

New political alignments in the later seventeenth century

139

(8)

Conclusion

147

(3)

Conclusion

150

(5)

Select bibliography

155

(7)

Notes

162

(55)

Index

217

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Nobilities in Transition 1550-1700 Courtiers and Rebels in Britain and Europe

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

FREE SHIPPING

Rent More, Save More! Use code: BBRENTAL

5% off 1 book, 7% off 2 books, 10% off 3+ books

Nobilities in Transition 1550-1700 Courtiers and Rebels in Britain and Europe

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

Digital License