CALL FOR PAPERS: Monarchy in turmoil: princes, courts, and politics in revolution and restoration 1780-1830 (Leiden, 18-20 May 2022) (DEADLINE: 31 May 2021)

 

(Source: Universiteit Leiden)

We learned of a call for papers for a conference on monarchies between 1780-1830.

For every period, it is a challenge to unearth the details of political trafficking; yet the effort needs to include all relevant persons, groups, and institutions – not only those wielding formal responsibilities. We hope to reinvigorate this effort by inviting specialists to present their research on the institutional, social, and political aspects of the court between 1780 and 1830.

Conference layout

We invite papers outlining change and continuity in household institutions; on the careers of court dignitaries moving between household, central government, representative assemblies, the army, and regional administration; on decision-making and political contestation around the prince.

Papers can be proposed for the following sections:

Institutions. Household staffs and their connections in ministries, councils, army command, representative assemblies; connections among these institutions and with regional administrations. Who may be seen as the key political players and brokers on the basis of these connections?

Activities. Routines of these office holders and institutions; points of contact and sociability. Was there a central meeting point, or do we rather see a series of competing foci of sociability? [ceremony and representation can be addressed if related to these themes, but do not form part of our core conference themes].

Politics and decision-making. How did key policy choices take shape? Who were involved, formally and informally? Examples of household—government—parliament—army interaction around princes. Change over time; comparison of processes in various countries.

Europe will be our prime focus; excursions are possible if they show a direct connection to the European-Atlantic-Global wave of revolution as well as to the themes cited here (e.g. the Braganza court in Brazil; Ottoman responses in terms of court organisation and decision-making.)

The organisers have approached a number of institutions and researchers directly. In addition  this announcement will be placed on internet and can be circulated freely: it is intended to attract the attention of researchers in the field.

Paper proposals

We ask those interested to present a paper to send a mail message with a mini-bio (100 words) plus a title and abstract (250 words) to: monarchyinturmoil@hum.leidenuniv.nl before 31 May 2021.

Applicants will receive a response in early July.

Travel and accommodation of speakers will be covered  by the organisers.

Organisation

This conference is organised by the Leiden University Institute for History and Huygens Institute for Dutch History and Culture on 18-20 May 2022 in Leiden, Gravensteen building, in the framework of the research project Monarchy in Turmoil. Rulers, Courts and Politics in The Netherlands and Germany, C.1780 – C.1820, funded by the Dutch Research Council.

 

The full call can be found here