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Dynastic Centralisation and Court Constellations : Duke-King Relations in Early Seventeenth-Century Sweden

Isacsson, Alexander LU (2025) In The Court Historian 30(1). p.34-56
Abstract
This article explores how dynastic centralisation in early seventeenth-century Sweden shaped relations between dukes and kings as well as their respective courts. Focusing on Duke Johan of Östergötland, it examines how courtly socialisation influenced Johan’s loyalty to his uncle, Charles IX, and cousin, Gustavus Adolphus. Drawing on correspondence and court records, the study argues that Johan’s childhood socialisation was instrumental in fostering his allegiance and contributed to a novel court configuration. While ducal courts in sixteenth-century Sweden had often been divisive, the early seventeenth century witnessed the emergence of a more cohesive constellation of courts. The ducal court remained a platform for princely display and... (More)
This article explores how dynastic centralisation in early seventeenth-century Sweden shaped relations between dukes and kings as well as their respective courts. Focusing on Duke Johan of Östergötland, it examines how courtly socialisation influenced Johan’s loyalty to his uncle, Charles IX, and cousin, Gustavus Adolphus. Drawing on correspondence and court records, the study argues that Johan’s childhood socialisation was instrumental in fostering his allegiance and contributed to a novel court configuration. While ducal courts in sixteenth-century Sweden had often been divisive, the early seventeenth century witnessed the emergence of a more cohesive constellation of courts. The ducal court remained a platform for princely display and patrimonial authority, but the relationship between ducal and royal courts was characterised by a harmonious coexistence and interaction. This transformation was intrinsically linked to dynastic centralisation, which redefined the role of cadet princes, fostering greater compliance within the royal family and hierarchy. (Less)
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author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
The Court Historian
volume
30
issue
1
pages
23 pages
publisher
Taylor & Francis
ISSN
1462-9712
DOI
10.1080/14629712.2025.2468077
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
8ce67b6f-3f98-4ade-b13b-f211d8e140af
date added to LUP
2025-03-20 06:54:06
date last changed
2025-04-23 11:32:46
@article{8ce67b6f-3f98-4ade-b13b-f211d8e140af,
  abstract     = {{This article explores how dynastic centralisation in early seventeenth-century Sweden shaped relations between dukes and kings as well as their respective courts. Focusing on Duke Johan of Östergötland, it examines how courtly socialisation influenced Johan’s loyalty to his uncle, Charles IX, and cousin, Gustavus Adolphus. Drawing on correspondence and court records, the study argues that Johan’s childhood socialisation was instrumental in fostering his allegiance and contributed to a novel court configuration. While ducal courts in sixteenth-century Sweden had often been divisive, the early seventeenth century witnessed the emergence of a more cohesive constellation of courts. The ducal court remained a platform for princely display and patrimonial authority, but the relationship between ducal and royal courts was characterised by a harmonious coexistence and interaction. This transformation was intrinsically linked to dynastic centralisation, which redefined the role of cadet princes, fostering greater compliance within the royal family and hierarchy.}},
  author       = {{Isacsson, Alexander}},
  issn         = {{1462-9712}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{34--56}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{The Court Historian}},
  title        = {{Dynastic Centralisation and Court Constellations : Duke-King Relations in Early Seventeenth-Century Sweden}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14629712.2025.2468077}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/14629712.2025.2468077}},
  volume       = {{30}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}