Significant Others: Aspects of Deviance and Difference in Premodern Court Cultures

Significant Others explores the transformative possibilities of alterity or otherness and offers concrete case studies that provide a greater understanding and nuance with regard to aspects of deviance and difference in premodern court cultures. This volume uses empirical and contextually informed research to respond to theoretical questions posed by recent historiography, making it a valuable resource for students and scholars interested in the diverse aspects and contexts of premodern 'others'.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 31 August 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Significant Others delves into the profound transformative potential of alterity or otherness, presenting concrete case studies that offer a deeper understanding and intricate nuances regarding aspects of deviance and difference in premodern court cultures. Both public and nominally private realms were profoundly influenced by significant others, including women, ethno-religious minorities, and marginalized and/or difficult-to-categorize men. These diverse outsiders, often referred to as 'others,' held crucial positions within and connections to court cultures, playing pivotal roles in sustaining the fluidity essential for the successful continuation of territorial monarchies and polities. Their unique perspectives and affiliations challenged our conventional understanding of the narrowly defined elite behaviors that shaped premodern dynasties, rulers, societies, and cultures of the past. By examining a diverse range of historical and literary case studies, such as the Moroccan Jews as dhimmis (''protected persons''), bastards, mistresses, and sodomites in ancien régime France, as well as the transformative influence of magic in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, this volume employs empirical and contextually informed research to address theoretical questions raised by recent historiography. With a cross-disciplinary approach, this collection of essays serves as a valuable resource for students and scholars alike, interested in exploring the multifaceted aspects and diverse contexts of premodern 'others.'

Weight: 404g
Dimension: 155 x 233 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367903442