The Early Modern Court Chapel across Religious Boundaries: Architecture, Politics, and Performance

Abstract

This thesis explores the multifaceted role of Early Modern court chapels in Europe, emphasizing their architectural, political, and performative dimensions during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Focusing on Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican traditions, it highlights how court chapels transcended their doctrinal differences and religious functions to become central spaces for demonstrating political power, social hierarchy, and cultural expression. The research outlines the historical context of religious reforms, showcasing the interactions between secular rulers and religious institutions. It discusses prominent medieval prototypes, such as the chapels in Constantinople, Aachen, and Paris, that influenced subsequent Early Modern designs. Detailed analyses examine court chapels both as theoretical concepts within architectural treatises and as physical structures, exploring their typical locations within palatial complexes and their ceremonial significance. The thesis also addresses the ceremonial routes taken by rulers from their private chambers to public chapel spaces, reflecting upon the symbolic importance of visibility and accessibility. A significant component of the work investigates interior arrangements within court chapels, analysing seating hierarchies, liturgical fittings, and their implications for reinforcing political and religious ideologies. Special attention is given to chapels serving rulers and consorts of different confessional backgrounds, revealing how architecture facilitated political compromise and religious coexistence. Ultimately, this thesis presents a comprehensive comparative study, demonstrating that Early Modern court chapels were not mere spaces of worship but dynamic arenas where art, architecture, religion, and politics interwove to shape the cultural landscapes of their time