Courtly Pastimes

<p>The modern concept of passing leisure hours pleasantly would in the Middle Ages have fallen under the rubric of Sloth a deadly sin. Yet aristocrats of past centuries were not always absorbed in affairs of state or warfare. What did they do in moments of peace downtime as we might call it today? In this collection of essays scholars from various disciplines investigate courtly modes of entertainment ranging from the vigorous to the intellectual: hunting jousting horse racing; physical and verbal games; reading writing and book ownership. Favorite pastimes spanned differences of gender and age and crossed geographical and cultural boundaries. Literary and historical examples come from England France Germany Spain and Italy. </p><p>Courtly Pastimes analyzes the underlying rationales for such activities: to display power and prestige to acquire cultural capital to instill a sense of community or to build diplomatic alliances. Performativity − so crucial in social rituals − could become transgressive if taken to extremes. Certain chapters explore the spaces of courtliness: literal or imaginary; man-made natural or a hybrid of both. Other chapters concern materiality and visual elements associated with courtly pastimes: from humble children’s toys and playthings to elite tournament attire castle murals and manuscript illuminations.</p>