Court

Every Renaissance ruler maintained a court. More than just an established residence, the court provided a visible symbol of the ruler's power and splendor. A court was a world within the larger society, governed by its own ceremonies and rules of etiquette, where everyone from the ruler to the servants sought to advance his or her own interests. As settings for the display of wealth and culture, courts were among the most important and colorful centers of Renaissance life.

The court was also a part of the government. The prince might use his courtiers to express his wishes to members of the administration, and courtiers could also bring advice from government leaders to the prince. Some members of the court also served in the administration, making the distinction between court and government unclear.

The Structure of the Court. At the center of each court was a ruler, such as a king, queen, pope, emperor, duke, or duchess. This central figure was commonly identified as a prince. Surrounding the prince was a vast assortment of other individuals, including family members, servants, advisers, government ministers, nobles, artists, writers, entertainers such as jesters and dwarfs, and others seeking patronage*. Members of the court constantly struggled to gain the prince's favor and increase their influence. Many courtiers were female, and the court was one of few places in Renaissance society where women had a real influence in government and politics.

The inner circle of the court consisted of the prince's household—a group of officials, headed by a chamberlain, who tended to the ruler's personal needs. Within the household, the prince could enjoy protection and some degree of privacy. In many cases the consort, or spouse, of the prince maintained a separate household. The extended court formed a much larger group, containing all the councillors and officials under the ruler's direct supervision. This larger court formed the setting for the prince's contact with government officials, citizens, and visiting princes or their representatives. A steward or majordomo saw to the management of the extended court.

Renaissance Courts. During the Renaissance, courts grew more elaborate. In several countries new dynasties, such as the Tudor royal family in England, came to power. These new rulers created splendid courts to draw attention away from their origins. The rise of diplomacy* also contributed to the growth of courts. Princes treated visiting rulers and their agents to magnificent spectacles that underlined the host's power and wealth. Occasions such as the arrival of a visiting prince or a bride for the ruler became lavish ceremonies that brought together artists, architects, musicians, actors, courtiers, and the entire population (as viewers) in a celebration of the state or ruling dynasty. Such spectacles dazzled the common folk and allowed the prince to dictate the behavior of the nobles—an important means of control at a time when central authority was still weak.

The most splendid court of the mid-1400s was that of the duke of BURGUNDY. Because the duchy* was a scattered patchwork of lands, the court provided a way to bind together groups of unrelated nobles. Elaborate ceremonies ruled every aspect of court life. By 1474 more than 1,000 officeholders, most of whom had their own servants, lived at court at the duke's expense. An English writer compared this glorious setting to the court of the legendary King Arthur.

The most magnificent court in Italy was that of the pope, followed by those of Milan and Naples. Italian courts became centers of artistic patronage, helping many artists gain status and freedom from the control of craft guilds*. Humanist* scholars also found places at court as teachers to young princes and their companions. The small but elegant court of the dukes of URBINO holds a lasting place in history as the subject of Baldassare CASTIGLIONE's Book of the Courtier, published in 1528. This book outlined the ideal of courtliness, which included good manners, high morals, and a fine intellect.

Court Life. A complex set of rules, called protocol, governed life at court. They not only dictated the proper behavior for courtiers, but also emphasized differences in rank. For example, most people were required to stand in the presence of the prince. Being allowed to sit was a sign of high favor, jealously observed by others. Throughout Europe, courts set standards for manners. Nobles sent their sons to court as pages* to learn the rules of behavior that set courtiers apart from the rest of society.

Courtiers spent most of their time trying to advance their position with the prince. Every detail of court life had meaning for them. The setting of a guest's reception, the location and quality of assigned lodgings, the seating at banquets—all served as signs of the prince's favor or disfavor. Princes made a point of limiting their personal contact with others to make their favors seem more significant. A private interview in the prince's bedroom or study was the greatest honor.

Maintaining a court was tremendously expensive. Princes constantly tried to hold down their expenses and reduce the number of courtiers entitled to free meals. Many nobles, under pressure to put on grand displays to catch and hold the prince's favor, fell deeply into debt. Lowranking courtiers endured shared rooms, bad food, and the insults of others in return for the chance to advance. The English courtier Sir Walter Raleigh expressed his disgust with the struggle of court life in his poem "The Lie": "Say to the court it glows and shines like rotten wood." Although Renaissance courts dazzled and delighted with their splendor, they also corrupted many with the lure of power.