Publisher's Synopsis
At first glance, integrating homage texts for secular rulers into sacred music settings appears to be a contradiction. In fact, the fair was particularly attractive for Renaissance composers as the liturgical of all genres for forms of homage to rulers. This study offers for the first time a systematic examination of the rulers' fairs from their hour of birth around 1500 (Josquin Desprez " Missa Hercules Dux Ferrariae ") to the middle of the 17th century. The trade fairs from Italy, Spain, Portugal and the House of Habsburg are analyzed with regard to their historical context, their musical form and their symbolism and put in relation to each other. The specialty of rulers' fairs is their function as an instrument for demonstrating political power in the medium of the liturgical mass. In rulers' fairs, the sacred side of the Renaissance ruler is brought to a climax, as a sounding symbol of the divine legitimation of power.
