The French Court

By Ben Acosta

The French Court• Many literary works depicted the royal court of France as a place of

privilege and amusement for the King and the nobles, but the court was an institution. It served a political, social, and cultural function.

• Politically- it was a center of decision-making

• Socially-it attracted all people looking for advancement

• Culturally- It promoted innovation and excellence

Background

The court was a gathering of important figure heads in French society meant to serve and amuse the King. Noblemen were required to attend court at certain times of year; this was a means of preventing rebellion. Where ever the King went the court was to follow. The court consisted of 18,000 individuals during peace time and 12,00 during times of war.

Politically The court had political and diplomatic uses. Noblemen were advisors for the King. He would commission councils out of them to oversee wars matters of state. Diplomats were entertained at court and ambassadors were members. Clergymen were also ambassadors, advisors, and councilors in the court.

Benjamin a Franklin attending court

SociallyThe court was a symbol of French society. Bourgeois looking to improve their status would go to the court to petition for an administrative position.

CulturallyThe court was influential to French culture. Since Noblemen were sent as ambassadors to other countries they would return with new forms of art, literature, and science. When Charles VIII occupied Northern Italy he brought back the Italian Renaissance, even employing Leonardo da Vinci.

Charles VIII Leonardo Da Vinci

• Though the French court was an appealing sight, It was a burden on nobles. They saw their attendance as a traditional duty. Nobles had to pay high prices at court and would be required to be away from their homes for long periods. Upon this, violence and scandals happened quit often. During the French Revolution the nobles were beheaded because they saw their extravagances as elitism.

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