Introduction. Performance, Poetry and Politics on the Queen’s Day

A significant cultural event at the Palace of Fontainebleau, organized by Catherine de Médicis on 13 February 1564, featured performances of two plays—'Bergerie' by Pierre de Ronsard and an adaptation of Ludovico Ariosto’s tale 'Ginevra.' This day, part of a Carnival festival spanning from 6 to 15 February, showcased the intersection of poetry, politics, and courtly entertainment. The study relies on historical accounts, notably those of Pierre de Brantôme, to reconstruct and analyze these performances, offering insights into Renaissance courtly culture and the role of art in political contexts.

(Ed.). (2017). Introduction. Performance, Poetry and Politics on the Queen’s Day, 11–16. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315247144-7