BGHS.NEWS

Linie 4: More than politics. Morality and the good life at the princely court of the 16th century



Illustration by Philipp Grotjohann. In: Des schlesischen Ritters Hans von Schweinichen abenteuerlicher Lebenslauf. Nach des Ritters eigenen Aufzeichnungen wiedererzählt von Ernst Leistner, Bielefeld/Leipzig 1878

In the 16th century, everything for the members of a princely court revolved around the person of the prince. Those who served the prince had to adhere to the norms of the court, which were communicated through court and service regulations. In addition, religiously vouched values for exemplary behaviour in princely service were communicated in court sermons. In this way, the courtiers knew how they should conduct themselves for the prince. What was considered good and what was considered bad behaviour was a matter of course for them.

In his lecture "More than politics. Morality and the good life at the princely court of the 16th century" at Linie 4, the public lecture series organised by the BGHS in cooperation with the vhs Bielefeld, Stefan Roepke addresses the question of how it is possible to adequately understand descriptions of life from past times. Using the autobiography of the Silesian knight Hans von Schweinichen (1552-1616), he shows that the ideals of court life were not just politics and how they were actually lived and experienced by the courtiers.

Stefan Roepke is a historian and is doing his doctorate at the BGHS on the subject of princely service, nobility and Lutheranism in the records of Hans von Schweinichen. 

The lecture will take place on Wednesday, 04 June 2025 at 6.15 pm in room 240 at the VHS Bielefeld, Ravensberger Park 1. The lecture is held in German.