Society for Court Studies
@courtstudies.bsky.social
Founded in September 1995, the Society for Court Studies is the leading international academic society for the examination of royal and princely courts and households from antiquity to the present. https://courtstudies.org/
https://linktr.ee/courtstudies
https://linktr.ee/courtstudies
Plantagenet jewels! You know you want them! A hybrid SCS event! Charles Farris “Of Wonderful Beauty: An Inventory of the Jewels of Margaret of France in 1302”. 9 Dec. 18:00 GMT
If you like to attend (for free) in-person at the Royal Anthropological Institute, email societyforcourtstudies@gmail.com.
If you like to attend (for free) in-person at the Royal Anthropological Institute, email societyforcourtstudies@gmail.com.
November 20, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Plantagenet jewels! You know you want them! A hybrid SCS event! Charles Farris “Of Wonderful Beauty: An Inventory of the Jewels of Margaret of France in 1302”. 9 Dec. 18:00 GMT
If you like to attend (for free) in-person at the Royal Anthropological Institute, email societyforcourtstudies@gmail.com.
If you like to attend (for free) in-person at the Royal Anthropological Institute, email societyforcourtstudies@gmail.com.
A hybrid SCS event! Charles Farris “Of Wonderful Beauty: An Inventory of the Jewels of Margaret of France in 1302”. On 9 Dec. 18:00 GMT.
If you would like to attend in-person at the Royal Anthropological Institute, email societyforcourtstudies@gmail.com. Pre-booking essential
If you would like to attend in-person at the Royal Anthropological Institute, email societyforcourtstudies@gmail.com. Pre-booking essential
November 15, 2025 at 7:04 PM
A hybrid SCS event! Charles Farris “Of Wonderful Beauty: An Inventory of the Jewels of Margaret of France in 1302”. On 9 Dec. 18:00 GMT.
If you would like to attend in-person at the Royal Anthropological Institute, email societyforcourtstudies@gmail.com. Pre-booking essential
If you would like to attend in-person at the Royal Anthropological Institute, email societyforcourtstudies@gmail.com. Pre-booking essential
OTD in 1908 Empress Dowager Cixi of China died. Since 1861, she had ruled using various emperors. On the day before her death she, in all likelihood, had the then puppet emperor, her nephew the Guangxu Emperor, poisoned. Cixi was an effective & ruthless court politics operator.
November 15, 2025 at 1:04 PM
OTD in 1908 Empress Dowager Cixi of China died. Since 1861, she had ruled using various emperors. On the day before her death she, in all likelihood, had the then puppet emperor, her nephew the Guangxu Emperor, poisoned. Cixi was an effective & ruthless court politics operator.
Get ready for our next VSS "Transregional Aesthetics: A Tañcāvūr Nāyaka in an Early Modern Court" on Thursday, 20 Nov at 18:00 CET/17:00 GMT which will be delivered by Sri Sathvik Rayala (Harvard University)!
Register here 👉 www.eventbrite.fr/e/nov-vss-tr...
Register here 👉 www.eventbrite.fr/e/nov-vss-tr...
November 12, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Get ready for our next VSS "Transregional Aesthetics: A Tañcāvūr Nāyaka in an Early Modern Court" on Thursday, 20 Nov at 18:00 CET/17:00 GMT which will be delivered by Sri Sathvik Rayala (Harvard University)!
Register here 👉 www.eventbrite.fr/e/nov-vss-tr...
Register here 👉 www.eventbrite.fr/e/nov-vss-tr...
(1/4) 📣 Now launching CfP for SCS 2026 conference, “Storytelling at Princely Courts”,
📍 Wrocław, Poland (27-29 August 2026)
👑 Explores the multifaceted role of narratives and stories at medieval & early modern princely courts
🗓 Proposal deadline: 31.01.2026
👉 Limited bursaries available.
📍 Wrocław, Poland (27-29 August 2026)
👑 Explores the multifaceted role of narratives and stories at medieval & early modern princely courts
🗓 Proposal deadline: 31.01.2026
👉 Limited bursaries available.
November 10, 2025 at 1:24 PM
(1/4) 📣 Now launching CfP for SCS 2026 conference, “Storytelling at Princely Courts”,
📍 Wrocław, Poland (27-29 August 2026)
👑 Explores the multifaceted role of narratives and stories at medieval & early modern princely courts
🗓 Proposal deadline: 31.01.2026
👉 Limited bursaries available.
📍 Wrocław, Poland (27-29 August 2026)
👑 Explores the multifaceted role of narratives and stories at medieval & early modern princely courts
🗓 Proposal deadline: 31.01.2026
👉 Limited bursaries available.
A hybrid event to look forward to: on 9th December, 2025, 6pm, Charles Farris (Historic Royal Palaces) will talk about "Of Wonderful Beauty: An Inventory of the
Jewels of Margaret of France in 1302". Venue: Royal Anthropological Institute (50 Fitzroy St., London W1T 5BT) & online
Jewels of Margaret of France in 1302". Venue: Royal Anthropological Institute (50 Fitzroy St., London W1T 5BT) & online
November 9, 2025 at 10:03 PM
A hybrid event to look forward to: on 9th December, 2025, 6pm, Charles Farris (Historic Royal Palaces) will talk about "Of Wonderful Beauty: An Inventory of the
Jewels of Margaret of France in 1302". Venue: Royal Anthropological Institute (50 Fitzroy St., London W1T 5BT) & online
Jewels of Margaret of France in 1302". Venue: Royal Anthropological Institute (50 Fitzroy St., London W1T 5BT) & online
(1/2) CFP for the Annual Conference of the Dessau-Wörlitz Commission 2026!
'Hunting, princely rule, and an enlightened public: Prince Franz of Anhalt-Dessau in the context of the Holy Roman Empire'
👑 Hunting practices and significance
👑 Ideas of enlightened rule
👑 Development of a public sphere
'Hunting, princely rule, and an enlightened public: Prince Franz of Anhalt-Dessau in the context of the Holy Roman Empire'
👑 Hunting practices and significance
👑 Ideas of enlightened rule
👑 Development of a public sphere
November 7, 2025 at 5:42 PM
(1/2) CFP for the Annual Conference of the Dessau-Wörlitz Commission 2026!
'Hunting, princely rule, and an enlightened public: Prince Franz of Anhalt-Dessau in the context of the Holy Roman Empire'
👑 Hunting practices and significance
👑 Ideas of enlightened rule
👑 Development of a public sphere
'Hunting, princely rule, and an enlightened public: Prince Franz of Anhalt-Dessau in the context of the Holy Roman Empire'
👑 Hunting practices and significance
👑 Ideas of enlightened rule
👑 Development of a public sphere
The Prince pleaded guilty at the trial but was acquitted as he was deemed too stupid to understand what was happening. Afterwards he agreed never to use his Swedish orders again and moved to Spain.
October 31, 2025 at 6:55 PM
The Prince pleaded guilty at the trial but was acquitted as he was deemed too stupid to understand what was happening. Afterwards he agreed never to use his Swedish orders again and moved to Spain.
one of the main actors in the Huseby Affair. A very wealthy woman, Miss Florence Stephens at Huseby, was impressed by Prince Carl's status and she was basically swindled out of a lot of her money by a group of men.
October 31, 2025 at 6:54 PM
one of the main actors in the Huseby Affair. A very wealthy woman, Miss Florence Stephens at Huseby, was impressed by Prince Carl's status and she was basically swindled out of a lot of her money by a group of men.
What to do with an embarrassing member of the royal family? In Sweden, Prince Carl lost his princely title marrying beneath his status (with a countess). He was provided with a new princely title by his brother in law, the King of Belgium. Worse came in the 1950s when he was embroiled as
October 31, 2025 at 6:54 PM
What to do with an embarrassing member of the royal family? In Sweden, Prince Carl lost his princely title marrying beneath his status (with a countess). He was provided with a new princely title by his brother in law, the King of Belgium. Worse came in the 1950s when he was embroiled as
📣 SCS annual conference - “Reconsidering Courtly Environments”, in Prague on 20-21 Nov w/ historickyustav.bsky.social akademievedcr.bsky.social Examines medieval & early modern European courts, natural environments & landscapes. Feat keynote by Luc Duerloo & papers on gardens, hunting & landscapes!
October 29, 2025 at 12:17 PM
📣 SCS annual conference - “Reconsidering Courtly Environments”, in Prague on 20-21 Nov w/ historickyustav.bsky.social akademievedcr.bsky.social Examines medieval & early modern European courts, natural environments & landscapes. Feat keynote by Luc Duerloo & papers on gardens, hunting & landscapes!
📣 New book series, “Court Cultures, 1000-1900”, 📚 launched by @historyboy30.bsky.social & @patrikpastrnak.bsky.social w/ @degruyterbrill.bsky.social. Series feat books exploring any & all aspects of global courts 👑 (all variations). CfP now open! Info & CfP: www.degruyterbrill.com/serial/cocu-...
October 24, 2025 at 2:41 PM
📣 New book series, “Court Cultures, 1000-1900”, 📚 launched by @historyboy30.bsky.social & @patrikpastrnak.bsky.social w/ @degruyterbrill.bsky.social. Series feat books exploring any & all aspects of global courts 👑 (all variations). CfP now open! Info & CfP: www.degruyterbrill.com/serial/cocu-...
George III tried to clamp down on the Prince of Wales attending balls at private homes of oppositions hostesses. The Prince helped make "being in opposition fashionable". "Transforming the ballrom into a space for political dialogue". Hillary Burlock
October 13, 2025 at 5:28 PM
George III tried to clamp down on the Prince of Wales attending balls at private homes of oppositions hostesses. The Prince helped make "being in opposition fashionable". "Transforming the ballrom into a space for political dialogue". Hillary Burlock
Factions at court could be exposed through the absence of, for example, the Prince of Wales and other members of the bon ton. Hillary Burlock “The Dance of Politics: The Politics of Dance under George III and George IV”
October 13, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Factions at court could be exposed through the absence of, for example, the Prince of Wales and other members of the bon ton. Hillary Burlock “The Dance of Politics: The Politics of Dance under George III and George IV”
Minuets at the royal birthday balls could be the subject of laughter (and result in stepping on royal toes). A "smoothness" of movement was the ideal - which some could not master. Hillary Burlock “The Dance of Politics: The Politics of Dance under George III and George IV”
October 13, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Minuets at the royal birthday balls could be the subject of laughter (and result in stepping on royal toes). A "smoothness" of movement was the ideal - which some could not master. Hillary Burlock “The Dance of Politics: The Politics of Dance under George III and George IV”
Minuets at the royal birthday balls could be the subject of laughter (and result in stepping on royal toes). A "smoothness" of movement was the ideal - which some could not master. Hillary Burlock “The Dance of Politics: The Politics of Dance under George III and George IV”
October 13, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Minuets at the royal birthday balls could be the subject of laughter (and result in stepping on royal toes). A "smoothness" of movement was the ideal - which some could not master. Hillary Burlock “The Dance of Politics: The Politics of Dance under George III and George IV”
Minuets at royal balls nerve wrecking as mistakes would be observed and even be published. Hillary Burlock “The Dance of Politics: The Politics of Dance under George III and George IV”
October 13, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Minuets at royal balls nerve wrecking as mistakes would be observed and even be published. Hillary Burlock “The Dance of Politics: The Politics of Dance under George III and George IV”
The moves for the birthday ball carefully ritualised. Especially the women had to face challenges during complex minuet. Required mastery of their bodies and motions. Learning minuet took a long time. A master claimed it took at least a year to reach "mediocrity". (Hillary Burlock)
October 13, 2025 at 5:16 PM
The moves for the birthday ball carefully ritualised. Especially the women had to face challenges during complex minuet. Required mastery of their bodies and motions. Learning minuet took a long time. A master claimed it took at least a year to reach "mediocrity". (Hillary Burlock)
"Grace and ease" integral to social standing in elite court society. under George III and George IV”. People could wait for hours to get into the royal ballroom. "To see and by seen" by the royals. Hillary Burlock “The Dance of Politics: The Politics of Dance under George III and George IV”.
October 13, 2025 at 5:12 PM
"Grace and ease" integral to social standing in elite court society. under George III and George IV”. People could wait for hours to get into the royal ballroom. "To see and by seen" by the royals. Hillary Burlock “The Dance of Politics: The Politics of Dance under George III and George IV”.
Ballrooms "a critical political extra parliamentary space". Queen Charlotte's birthday ball was the start of the "season". Hillary Burlock “The Dance of Politics: The Politics of Dance under George III and George IV”.
October 13, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Ballrooms "a critical political extra parliamentary space". Queen Charlotte's birthday ball was the start of the "season". Hillary Burlock “The Dance of Politics: The Politics of Dance under George III and George IV”.
SCS seminar, Hillary Burlock (University of Liverpool): “The Dance of Politics: The Politics of Dance under George III and George IV”. Balls an essential an integral part of the "season" in London.
October 13, 2025 at 5:05 PM
SCS seminar, Hillary Burlock (University of Liverpool): “The Dance of Politics: The Politics of Dance under George III and George IV”. Balls an essential an integral part of the "season" in London.
This Thursday 16 Oct 18:00 CET/17:00 BST join us for our next VSS session - “ ‘I Had an Honourable Place in the Traine’: Dutch Diplomacy Surrounding the Funeral of Elizabeth I” presented by Elizabeth Hines and Julie van den Hout!
Register below
courtstudies.org/events/virtu...
Register below
courtstudies.org/events/virtu...
October 13, 2025 at 7:17 AM
This Thursday 16 Oct 18:00 CET/17:00 BST join us for our next VSS session - “ ‘I Had an Honourable Place in the Traine’: Dutch Diplomacy Surrounding the Funeral of Elizabeth I” presented by Elizabeth Hines and Julie van den Hout!
Register below
courtstudies.org/events/virtu...
Register below
courtstudies.org/events/virtu...
Time to tread the digital dance! On Monday 13 October (Monday, October 13 · 5:45 - 7:45pm GMT+1) a new SCS seminar: Hillary Burlock (University of Liverpool) – “The Dance of Politics: The Politics of Dance under George III and George IV”
Register for Zoom:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hillary-bu...
Register for Zoom:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hillary-bu...
October 11, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Time to tread the digital dance! On Monday 13 October (Monday, October 13 · 5:45 - 7:45pm GMT+1) a new SCS seminar: Hillary Burlock (University of Liverpool) – “The Dance of Politics: The Politics of Dance under George III and George IV”
Register for Zoom:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hillary-bu...
Register for Zoom:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hillary-bu...
On 11 Oct FOUR members of SCS, including our President Prof Glenn Richardson, will be contributing to a study day titled 'Cardinal Wolsey, 1525-2025: Still the King's Cardinal?'at Oxford University Lifelong Learning (Rewley House)!
Register here 👉 lifelong-learning.ox.ac.uk/courses/card...
Register here 👉 lifelong-learning.ox.ac.uk/courses/card...
September 24, 2025 at 3:11 PM
On 11 Oct FOUR members of SCS, including our President Prof Glenn Richardson, will be contributing to a study day titled 'Cardinal Wolsey, 1525-2025: Still the King's Cardinal?'at Oxford University Lifelong Learning (Rewley House)!
Register here 👉 lifelong-learning.ox.ac.uk/courses/card...
Register here 👉 lifelong-learning.ox.ac.uk/courses/card...
SCS seminar. A panel discussion on "New Directions in Royal Histories". Lauren Shaw (Celtic Harmony / University of Roehampton) on Tudor ancestral legacies
September 22, 2025 at 5:49 PM
SCS seminar. A panel discussion on "New Directions in Royal Histories". Lauren Shaw (Celtic Harmony / University of Roehampton) on Tudor ancestral legacies