In the Shadow of Burgundy The Court of Guelders in the Late Middle Ages [Hardcover]

A wide-ranging study of the late medieval court of Guelders in the Low Countries.This book offers a wide-ranging study of the court of Guelders in the Low Countries, which offers an excellent vantage point for the study of late medieval court culture. Surrounded by the vast territories of the dukes of Burgundy, and feeling the growing power of the Valois dukes, it managed to remain independent until 1473. Rich archival sources convey the striking cultural and political richness of the court, poised between French and German spheres of influence, and shows how Guelders can be taken as representative of Europe's many medium-sized courts.This book offers a wide-ranging study of the court of Guelders in the Low Countries, which offers an excellent vantage point for the study of late medieval court culture. Surrounded by the vast territories of the dukes of Burgundy, and feeling the growing power of the Valois dukes, it managed to remain independent until 1473. Rich archival sources convey the striking cultural and political richness of the court, poised between French and German spheres of influence, and shows how Guelders can be taken as representative of Europe's many medium-sized courts.This wide-ranging study of the court of Guelders in the Low Countries provides an excellent vantage point for the study of late medieval court culture. Despite being surrounded by the vast territories of the dukes of Burgundy, and the growing power of the Valois dukes, the court managed to remain independent until 1473. Archival sources convey the striking cultural and political richness of the court, poised between French and German spheres of influence, and demonstrate how Guelders can be considered as representative of Europe's many medium-sized courts.Foreword; Brief chronology of the history of the counts and dukes of Guelders; Introduction; Part I. Court: 1. The social framework: functions and functionaries; 2. A medium-sized court on its travels; 3. Finances at the court: in selC'