2024 Conference
Courtly Experiences in the Premodern World, c. 1200 – 1800:
Cultural, Material and Sensory Experiences in the World of the Court
22 – 24 August 2024
Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czechia
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED!
Conference overview
Throughout premodern history, royal and princely courts around the world were epicentres of activity, interactions, exchanges and modes of cultural production that defined the environments of different courts and also shaped the encounters that took place within different court cultures. For instance, visitors of foreign courts often described the objects of the spaces they visited, as well as the sights, sounds and smells of the world around them. Yet it is not always clear how the material or sensory elements impacted the interactions or experiences of people at court.
This interdisciplinary conference invites scholars to gather to pursue this developing field of study, seeking to explore the intersections and nuances of courtly experiences in physical, material and sensory terms.
Keynotes
Professor Karl Kügle, University of Oxford/Utrecht University
Dr Leah R. Clark, University of Oxford
Conference programme (updated & finalised 20 August 2024)
Registration information
The deadline to register for the conference was the 10 August 2024. Registration is now closed.
Excursion information
On the final day of the conference (24 August 2024), there will be an option excursion to Kroměříž Chateau, in nearby Kroměříž. The chateau is historically relevant because it was the residential site and court of the Bishops and Archbishops of Olomouc. The chateau and surrounding gardens are listed as a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site. More info can be found here: https://www.zamek-kromeriz.cz/en/home/.
During the excursion, participants will be given an exclusive tour of the chateau and wander around the chateau’s gardens. Participants and their guests are welcome to join the excursion. To join, participants and their guest(s) must each purchase an excursion ticket (€10.00) via the registration page (see above link), which will cover travel to and from the chateau.
NOTICE: While the excursion will be a nice, short journey and the bus company is very safe and reliable, all participants must be aware that Palacký University Olomouc, the Society of Court Studies, and members of the Organising Committee are not liable for any damages caused by accidents or stolen items during the excursion.
Accommodation
Information about accommodation options are provided in the conference guide provided below. However, please note that certain accommodation options are first come, first served. Be sure to review the information regarding accommodation at your earliest convenience.
Practical information guide
The practical information conference guide contains detailed information for in-person attendees about the conference venue, travelling, visiting and navigating Olomouc and Czechia, accommodation options and a wonderful list of restaurants, shopping and recommended sights.
Click on the button below to download the conference guide.Conference Guide
Virtual participation
Digital participation in the conference will take place using Zoom webinar. All sessions of the conference proceeding will be livestreamed. Links and access information will be provided a week before the conference by secure email via Eventbrite. The keynote presentations will be the only parts of the conference that will be recorded. The recordings will be accessible later via the Society for Court Studies website.
We ask that everyone refrain from sharing links to the conference proceedings for several reasons. First, the conference is available only for those who have paid the access fees. Second, the increase sharing of video links has contributed to the rise of hackers and bots with academic digital events. With this in mind, anyone who tries to access the link that has not registered will be denied access.
Organising Committee & Sponsors
Parik Pastrnak
Palacký University Olomouc/SCS-European Branch, Conference Officer
Dustin M. Neighbors
University of Helsinki/SCS-European Branch, Chair
Janet Dickinson
New York University, London and the Department of Continuing Education, University of Oxford
Hosted by Palacký University Olomouc, with support from the Centre for Research on Courts and Residences and the Institute of History at the Czech Academy of Sciences