This highly-illustrated volume, by bestselling author Richard
Barber, shows how medieval princes proclaimed their special status
through displays of magnificence. The book is stunning, in every
respect, and will be the gold standard in its subject for years to
come. ALISON WEIR "This is glorious! It's a peach-and-peacock of a
book, as befits its subject: scholarly, always accessible, with a
wealth of fabulous illustrations, superbly designed." KEVIN
CROSSLEY-HOLLAND How do you recognise a king when you see one? By
the thirteenth century, the special status, which had evolved over
thecenturies, was matched by the display of kingly grandeur. This
was enshrined in the idea of "magnificence". Magnificence was seen
as the king's duty, was applied to everything: his person, the
garments he wore, his courtiers, the artists, the musicians and
architects he employed. Above all, it was on show in his public
appearances, his feasts and ceremonies. The "magnificent"
collections of jewels, manuscripts and holy relics were displayed
to a handfulof favoured visitors. Those visitors also had to be
entertained, and royal feasts developed into an amazing form of
performance art. This book is not only about objects and occasions,
but also about the people who created them, from the kings
themselves and their court servants to the artists, craftsmen and
musicians of all kinds, down to the scribes and clerks, the
showmen, dancers and acrobats, and the servants at table. All this
is explored in this wide-ranging survey, covering the whole of
western Europe, but centring on France, the wealthiest of the
kingdoms, members of whose extended royal family were at different
times kings of Poland, Hungary, Naples, Jerusalem, England, and,
most spectacularly, dukes of Burgundy. Pageantry and displays of
splendour always catch our attention, and medieval feasts and
tournaments are among the most popular forms of historical
re-enactment today. Magnificence celebrates many of the high points
of the medieval world, drawing them together in a sumptuous volume.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
