Burgundijas galms 15. gadsimtā: viduslaiku noriets
Date
2006
Authors
Salkovs, Deniss
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Latvijas Universitāte
Abstract
Bakalaura darba mērķis ir izpētīt Burgundijas galmu 15. gadsimtā, viduslaiku norieta
apstākļos.
Burgundija 15. gadsimtā bija viens no visvarenākajiem teritoriālajiem veidojumiem
Rietumeiropā. 14.–15. gadsimtā Burgundijas hercogi, izmantojot laulības, karus un naudu,
nepārtraukti palielināja savus valdījumus un ietekmi. Burgundijas hercogu (vēl viņus mēdz dēvēt
par lielhercogiem vai prinčiem, tā pasvītrojot viņu piederību pie Francijas karaliskā nama)
īpašumi sastāvēja no divām lielām daļām: Flandrijas ar apkārtesošajām zemēm Francijas
ziemeļos un Burgundijas hercogistes ar kaimiņzemēm Francijas austrumdaļā. Pateicoties
teritoriju plašumam un pilsētu bagātībai, Burgundijas politiskā, ekonomiskā un kultūras ietekme
bija jūtama tālu aiz Burgundijas hercogu valdījumu robežām. Burgundijas hercogu galms bija
paraugs Anglijas karalistei, Svētās Romas impērijai un citām valstīm. Ar sava laika lielākajiem
valdošajiem namiem dinastiski saistītie Burgundijas lielhercogi piekopa aktīvu politiku, kuras
mērķis bija maksimāla neatkarības iegūšana no Francijas karaļa un Svētās Romas impērijas
ķeizara līdz pat centieniem iegūt karaļa titulu, tā padarot Burgundiju par karalisti. Savu hercogu
varenības un ambīciju dēļ Burgundija tika iesaistīta daudzos vēlo viduslaiku procesos, bija to
aktīva līdzdalībniece un iniciētāja.
Burgundija bija radījusi tādu vēlo viduslaiku fenomenu kā Burgundijas galma kultūra,
kas ir ne tikai pasaules kultūras vērtība, – 15. gadsimtā tas bija spožākais un slavenākais galms
Rietumeiropā. Ne velti Burgundijas galmu sauca par Rietumu bruņniecības pērli.
Galmā Burgundijas hercogi centās risināt tās problēmas, kuras viņu priekšā izvirzīja vēlie
viduslaiki, t.i., varas reprezentācija, ikdienas vajadzību un lielhercoga statusam atbilstoša
dzīvesveida nodrošināšana, valdījumu pārvalde un apstākļiem atbilstoša administratīvā aparāta
izveide, kā arī politiskās un militārās problēmas. Galmā Burgundijas hercogs pulcēja viņam
nepieciešamos cilvēkus un ar viņu atbalstu un palīdzību realizēja savu varu. Salīdzinot ar
attīstītajiem viduslaikiem un pat 14. gadsimtu, galma nozīme bija pieaugusi. Burgundijas galms
kļuva aizvien lielāks un greznāks, aizvien plašākas un nozīmīgākas kļuva tā funkcijas, aizvien
vairāk līdzekļu tas prasīja. Izveidojās cieša saistība starp Burgundijas hercogu un viņa galmu, un
jaunas attiecības galma vidū.
Burgundijas galms nodrošināja valdnieka ikdienas dzīvi, kas tika demonstrēta plašai
skatītāju auditorijai, paverot ceļu parādībai, kura vērojama 16. un 17. gadsimtā, kad visa
valdnieka dzīve kļuva publiska un tika pakļauta noteiktam ceremoniālam. Burgundijas galma
publikās funkcijas kalpoja, lai nodrošinātu Burgundijas hercogu augstāko tiesisko varu, lai tie
varētu uzturēt un vadīt lielos karaspēkus, kā arī lai visas hercogu vajadzības būtu pietiekami
materiāli atbalstītas. 15. gadsimtā uz lielhercoga tiesību deleģēšanas pamata pilnībā izpaudās
varas sazarošanās tendence – no Burgundijas galma nodalījās valdījumu pārvaldes institūcijas:
tiesas palāta, armijas pārvalde, finanšu departaments.
Burgundijas hercogu pretenzijas uz neatkarību no Francijas karaļa tikai pastiprināja šo
galma dzīves daudzveidības attīstību. Ne tikai nepieciešamība apvienot valsti un augošā varas
koncentrācija līdz ar pārvaldes aparāta attīstību lika Burgundijas hercogiem reprezentēt sevi.
Burgundijas hercogiem bija svarīgi parādīt laikabiedriem, ka viņi ir paši varenākie valdnieki.
Šādā situācijā Burgundijas galma reprezentatīvā funkcija kļuva par svarīgāko ārējās un iekšējās
politikas instrumentu.
The purpose of these Bachelor’s Theses is to study the court of Burgundy in the 15th century during the decline of the Middle Ages. In the 15th century Burgundy was one of the most powerful territories of Western Europe. In the 14th and 15th centuries dukes of Burgundy continuously increased their possessions and power by help of marriages, wars and money. Possessions of the dukes of Burgundy (they are also known as great dukes or princes in order to underline their belonging to the French Royal House) consisted of two big parts: Flanders and its neighbouring counties and the Duchy of Burgundy and its neighbouring counties in eastern part of France. Due to the wide territory and wealth of towns political, economic and cultural influence of Burgundy went far across possession of the dukes of Burgundy. The court of Burgundy was a model to follow for the Kingdom of England, Holy Roman Empire and other countries. Being related to the most power dynasties of that time, the dukes of Burgundy actively engaged in politics in order to gain maximum independence from the King of France and emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, and they even tried to obtain king’s title – this way Burgundy would become a kingdom. Due to power and ambitions of its dukes Burgundy was involved in many processes of the Late Middle Ages, it initiated them and took active part. Burgundy managed to introduce a phenomenon characteristic for the Late Middle Ages – culture of the court, which made Burgundy’s court the most famous and outstanding court in Western Europe in the 15th century. The court of Burgundy was even called the Pearl of Western Knighthood. The dukes of Burgundy tried to address all the problems faced during the Late Middle Ages – representation of authority, provision of everyday needs and a lifestyle appropriate for the duke’s status, administration of possessions and creation of an administrative system meeting the requirements and conditions of that time, as well as political and military problems. The court gathered all the people necessary for the duke in order to enforce his power. In comparison to the High Middle Ages and even to the 14th century the role of the court had increased. The court of Burgundy expanded and became more and more luxurious, new functions were added requiring additional resources. The duke and his court developed close relations, thus changing the pattern of relationships at the court. The court ensured everyday needs of the dukes; the luxurious lifestyle was demonstrated to the public, which introduced a new trend characteristic for the 16th and 17th century, when practically everything in lives of rulers and monarchs became public and subjected to certain open ceremonies. The “public” function of the court of Burgundy supported securing the highest legal power of dukes, maintaining and ruling the big armed forces and providing material resources for the needs of dukes. In the 15th century a number of duke’s rights and powers were delegated signifying a new tendency – new administrative bodies were derived from the court of Burgundy: the palace of justice, administration of the armed forces, department of finance. Ambitions of the dukes of Burgundy to gain independence of the King of France were an impetus for diverse development of court’s life. The dukes had to represent themselves not only to consolidate the country and to cope with the increasing centralisation of power resulting from the development of the administrative system. It was also essential for the dukes to show their contemporaries and counterparts that they are the most powerful rulers. In this situation the function of representation became the most import tool in Burgundy’s foreign and domestic policies.
The purpose of these Bachelor’s Theses is to study the court of Burgundy in the 15th century during the decline of the Middle Ages. In the 15th century Burgundy was one of the most powerful territories of Western Europe. In the 14th and 15th centuries dukes of Burgundy continuously increased their possessions and power by help of marriages, wars and money. Possessions of the dukes of Burgundy (they are also known as great dukes or princes in order to underline their belonging to the French Royal House) consisted of two big parts: Flanders and its neighbouring counties and the Duchy of Burgundy and its neighbouring counties in eastern part of France. Due to the wide territory and wealth of towns political, economic and cultural influence of Burgundy went far across possession of the dukes of Burgundy. The court of Burgundy was a model to follow for the Kingdom of England, Holy Roman Empire and other countries. Being related to the most power dynasties of that time, the dukes of Burgundy actively engaged in politics in order to gain maximum independence from the King of France and emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, and they even tried to obtain king’s title – this way Burgundy would become a kingdom. Due to power and ambitions of its dukes Burgundy was involved in many processes of the Late Middle Ages, it initiated them and took active part. Burgundy managed to introduce a phenomenon characteristic for the Late Middle Ages – culture of the court, which made Burgundy’s court the most famous and outstanding court in Western Europe in the 15th century. The court of Burgundy was even called the Pearl of Western Knighthood. The dukes of Burgundy tried to address all the problems faced during the Late Middle Ages – representation of authority, provision of everyday needs and a lifestyle appropriate for the duke’s status, administration of possessions and creation of an administrative system meeting the requirements and conditions of that time, as well as political and military problems. The court gathered all the people necessary for the duke in order to enforce his power. In comparison to the High Middle Ages and even to the 14th century the role of the court had increased. The court of Burgundy expanded and became more and more luxurious, new functions were added requiring additional resources. The duke and his court developed close relations, thus changing the pattern of relationships at the court. The court ensured everyday needs of the dukes; the luxurious lifestyle was demonstrated to the public, which introduced a new trend characteristic for the 16th and 17th century, when practically everything in lives of rulers and monarchs became public and subjected to certain open ceremonies. The “public” function of the court of Burgundy supported securing the highest legal power of dukes, maintaining and ruling the big armed forces and providing material resources for the needs of dukes. In the 15th century a number of duke’s rights and powers were delegated signifying a new tendency – new administrative bodies were derived from the court of Burgundy: the palace of justice, administration of the armed forces, department of finance. Ambitions of the dukes of Burgundy to gain independence of the King of France were an impetus for diverse development of court’s life. The dukes had to represent themselves not only to consolidate the country and to cope with the increasing centralisation of power resulting from the development of the administrative system. It was also essential for the dukes to show their contemporaries and counterparts that they are the most powerful rulers. In this situation the function of representation became the most import tool in Burgundy’s foreign and domestic policies.
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