Proposed panel's title:
Representations of power in courts without kings

Deadline: May 22, 2008.

The 16th and 17th centuries were periods of both numerous political conflicts but also of imperial consolidation and expansion. In such a constellation of powers `kingdoms without kings` was a common form of political formation which included viceroyalties, governorships, captaincies, prefectures, archbishoprics and bishoprics, as well as other semi/autonomous regions. These political spaces occupied different places in a hierarchical political body ruled at the very top by a distant monarch. These diverse forms of political existence generated specific political and cultural environments both at the royal court and its distant kingdoms. From the viceroyalties of Naples, to Peru and New Spain, to the kingdoms of Aragon and Austria, to the archbishopric of Karlovci, the absence of the monarch’s earthly body created peculiar courts, headed by vicarious rulers. Accordingly, our intention is to explore the complications and challenges involved in the representation of power in such courtly environments, and their reception by the local population. Possible themes of inquiry include the following: court ceremonial and ritual, civic and religious festivities organized and sponsored by the court, and art patronage.

We encourage an interdisciplinary approach, which will bring together specialists in communication studies, anthropology, art history, political sociology, and literature.

Proposals should include the following items:
1. Preliminary abstract, up to 150 words.
2. C.V. with home and office mailing addresses, e-mail address, and phone and fax numbers.

Deadline for proposals: May 22, 2008.

Please send them via e-mail attachments to:
Alejandra Osorio/Jelena Todorović/Gabriel Guarino
jelenatodorovic@hotmail.com
aosorio@wellesley.edu
g.guarino@ulster.ac.uk