Etiquette as Administration Tool at the Court in France and Spain in the XVIth–XVIIth Centuries

Abstract

Being the largest and concurrently competing powers in the XVI–XVII centuries, France and Spain presented the model of absolute monarchies of the early Modern times. One of the important features of the system of curial administration of the French and Spanish courts was the etiquette adopted and partly borrowed from the Burgundian court of the XV century.Based on sources of private character, the article provides a comparative analysis of special elements of court etiquette at the French and Spanish courts in the XVIth– XVIIth centuries, identifies their common and specific features, and points out their differences. The author suggests a possible mutual influence of both courts through marriage-dynastic relations.