Celebrations at European Courts as Viewed by “Sarmatian” Travellers

Abstract

This article considers the way inhabitants of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth perceived European court ceremonies as reflected in their travel notes. More particularly, the author analyses texts of the eighteenth century, where the ceremonies described are treated as some of the most important elements of symbolic communication between the authorities and society. Eighteenth-century travelogues provide a comprehensive idea of contacts with royal courts and social elites (political but also cultural and even academic), which does not comply with the stereotypical image of such situations. Starting with the late seventeenth century, court culture mostly relied on French models, which is why the article presents ceremonies at the court of Versailles described by travellers from the nobility, clergy, and from a woman’s perspective. The author also describes ceremonies and etiquette of the imperial court in Vienna, as well as the very specific ceremonial of the Roman court. The latter was characterised by the participation of the Pope. The analysis relies on intercultural communication research methods.