Ritual and Symbolic Communication in Medieval Hungary under the Árpád Dynasty (1000 - 1301)

"In Rituals and Symbolic Communication in Medieval Hungary under the Árpád Dynasty (1000-1301) Dusan Zupka examines rituals as means of political and symbolic communication in medieval Central Europe, with a special emphasis on the rulers of Árpád dynasty in the Kingdom of Hungary. Particular attention is paid to symbolic acts such as festive coronations, liturgical praises, welcoming of rulers (adventus regis), ritualised settlement of disputes, and symbolic rites during meetings of rulers. The power and meaning of rituals were understandable to both contemporary protagonists and to the authors of sources. These rituals therefore played an essential role in medieval political culture. The book concludes with an outline of ritual communication as a coherent system."--Back cover.