Navigating in a Changing Political Landscape – The Königsmarcks at the Dawn of Swedish Absolutism (original) (raw)

2014, Ein adeliges Frauenleben im Europa der Barockzeit

Many early modern aristocratic families were vast networks covering family and distant relations as well as political allies, friends, servants and officials. While medieval magnates had been more independent forces, early modern aristocrats had to wield influence through the machinery of monarchy. This has been presented by Norbert Elias as the absolute monarchy turning overmighty subjects into loyal courtiers. 1 Such an interpretation has been used for a number of early modern monarchies. 2 While the overarching narrative of the increasing power of the early modern ruler and his or her accompanying central government has not been questioned, yet significant adjustments have been made to this picture. 3 Thus, the influence wielded by early modern monarchs could be an opportunity for the aristocracy. If aristocrats managed to harness this vastly increased power they stood greatly to benefit. Neil Cuddy has demonstrated how noblemen close to Charles I could reap huge rewards through the favour. Linda Levy Peck has further shown how this was the subject of a lively discourse. 4 Dries Raeymaekers has illustrated how access to a ruler worked in the intricate context of the court of the Archdukes at Brussels. 5 However, stability can be overemphasized. If stability was at the heart of early modern political discourse, reality still forced its way in. This was a time when aristocrats had to adapt to several revolutions in England. 6 In other countries,

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