Summary This book is based on an international conference held in the capital of Hainault to celebrate the city of Mons as European Capital of Culture (2015). For the first time, through a range of interdisciplinary studies, the magnificent festivals created to honour Prince Philip of Spain as he journeyed across Europe to receive his sovereignty of the Low Countries are brought to life. The splendour of entries in the cities of Northern Italy (such as Genoa and Milan) was challenged by the civic allegories of triumph displayed throughout the Low Countries in Ghent, Antwerp, and Amsterdam. Outpacing all that magnificence were the entertainments prepared by Mary of Hungary at Binche: triumphal arches, martial feats of arms, balls, masquerades, and castle-stormings entertained Emperor Charles V and his son Prince Philip. The essays in this volume reconstitute the political and social context of these extraordinary celebrations and focus on the purpose and role of festival in the changing political strategies of Charles V. They are illustrated with a total of 36 b&w and 36 colour images. Contributors: Sydney Anglo, Francesca Bortoletti, Stijn Bussels, Tobias Capwell, José Eloy Hortal Muñoz, Félix Labrador Arroyo, Margaret M. McGowan, R. L. M. Morris, Jessie Park, Yves Pauwels, M. J. Rodríguez-Salgado, Margaret Shewring, Hugo Soly, Lisa Wiersma. TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements, List of Illustrations, Editors and Contributors Introduction Imperial Festivities in Mons and Hainault, 1549: Festivités impériales dans le Hainaut, 1549 Margaret M. McGowan and Margaret Shewring Part I: Setting the Scene Chapter 1. Prince Philip's Itinerary across Europe, 1548-1550: An Overview Margaret M. McGowan Chapter 2. 1549: A Year of Grace for Emperor Charles V and His Subjects in the Low Countries Hugo Soly Chapter 3. The Transformation of Philip, Prince of Spain, into the Lord of the Low Countries M. J. Rodríguez-Salgado Chapter 4. The Entourage of Prince Philip in Connection with the Felicissimo Viaje: The Beginning of Burgundian Etiquette at the Spanish Court? Félix Labrador Arroyo and José Eloy Hortal Muñoz Part II: Entries Chapter 5. Concordiam principum: The Triumphal Entry of Prince Philip into Milan (1548) Francesca Bortoletti Chapter 6. Prince Philip's Entry into Ghent, 1549: History, Language, Architecture Yves Pauwels Chapter 7. The Importance of Being Present: The Performances of Prince Philip in Binche and Antwerp Stijn Bussels Part III: Décor Chapter 8. The Enchantment of Woven Surfaces: The Seven Deadly Sins Tapestries and Habsburg Propaganda in Binche, 1549 Jessie Park Chapter 9. Garden of Cast Flowers: The 'Enchanted Salon' and the Making of Sculptures for Festivals Lisa Wiersma Part IV: Entertainments Chapter 10. The Tournament at Binche Sydney Anglo Chapter 11. Theatre of War: Armoured Combat at the Festivals of Binche Tobias Capwell Chapter 12. Masquerades at Binche: A New or Traditional Spectacle? Margaret M. McGowan Epilogue: Munich 1568 Fashioning Identities in Habsburg-ruled Lands: The 1568 Wedding of Wilhelm V, Duke of Bavaria, and Renée, Duchess of Lorraine R. L. M. Morris Appendix Prince Philip's Journey Across Europe, 1548-1550: A Timetable of Dates and Places Index