Festivals were occasions to which Renaissance European courts devoted lavish resources. They marked all manner of state events and were charged with political, economic and cultural significance. The essays in this volume, by an international group of contributors, explore all of these aspects. '... each essay has been rewritten, annotated and edited to form a coherent collection that significantly advances research and scholarship in the festival culture of Early Modern Europe... a valuable advance in a rich area...' Renaissance Journal 'An extremely useful roadmap to the fullness of the subject... Highly recommended.' Choice '...brimming with intellectual challenges.' Sixteenth Century Journal