"JOYOUS ENTRIES" BROUGHT SUBJECTS AROUND RULERS' CORONATIONS, WEDDINGS, VICTORIES OR VISITS
-- Parisian entries described: Annales, 1986 (in French)
They were happy moments. Notice the fool:
The Entry of Queen Isabeau of Bavaria to Paris on August 22 1389, "Froissart's Chronicles" / zoom
Trumpets. Banners. Tapestries or sumptuous cloths hang from windows. Quarrels about precedence. Free-flowing wine.
Halts for performances meant fun. Taking place at the same sites meant permanence:
"Performances for the Entry of Isabeau of Bavaria"
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Changes came with monarchy's growing strength:
- In the 16th century, mythology affirmed superiority over rising capitalists:
The Entry of Henri II, King of France, in Rouen, October 1 1550, 1557 / zoom
Notice the white horse.
- In the 17th, the name became royal entries. Parades began at Bastille or nearby and there were no halts or performances — the king was the show.
- At the same time the meeting-place was moved farther into the countryside. The change reflects the growing number of participants and so the growth of the economy, the underlying reason for stronger royal power (discussed in History from Fresh Perspectives). It took place step by step:
In 1610, participants of Louis XIII's entry met in front of the gate next to the Bastille fortress. In 1628, the entry to celebrate Protestant defeat began farther outside the rampart. In 1660, Louis XIV's entry drew so many people that it began far to the east, where place de la Nation is now.
The Entry of Louis XIII in 1610 / zoom (please scroll down)
Louis XIII, age eight, wears adult dress as all children did.
Impossible in 1660 for so many participants to meet within the city or in the nearby suburb.
To grasp the import of changing the starting-point,
start with that of the original route.
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4.1.2.
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