Medieval Court Protocol by Corbin Shepherd

Medieval Court Protocol unveils the royal court as the central stage for medieval governance, where power was negotiated through ceremony, law, and social structure. Rather than a mere backdrop, the court was integral to shaping society. Intriguingly, the effectiveness of a ruler often depended on their mastery of courtly protocol, allowing them to maintain stability and expand influence.

Political rituals, like coronations, projected power and reinforced social hierarchies. The book explores the structural organization of royal courts, the formal and informal rules of courtly behavior, and political rituals. It examines how the court, a nexus of influence, dictated access to the ruler and communicated authority.

The book progresses by first introducing the structure of medieval courts, then exploring unwritten rules and expectations, and finally analyzing specific political rituals, demonstrating how these events projected power. This approach offers a fresh perspective on medieval political maneuvering.