King Arthur of England, Count of Habsburg: The Use of Arthurian Imagery in Habsburg Diplomacy

Adam Curry*

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

Arthurian symbolism utilized by King Henry VIII in Habsburg diplomacy was a tribute to his esteemed mythic forefather, King Arthur, who commanded great respect from countless individuals, not least his imperial cousins. This article proposes that the King Arthur pageant at the 1522 London entry of Charles V was part of Henry’s broader use of Arthuriana in Habsburg political theatre, inspired by Maximilian I’s pseudo-ancestry. This article provides a new insight into Henry’s attempts to engage in the power politics of early sixteenth-century Europe and the use of British history in forging connections with his political rival.
Original languageEnglish
Article numberhtad018
Pages (from-to)473-488
Number of pages16
JournalHistorical Research
Volume96
Issue number274
Early online date13 Sept 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2023

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