Patronage in Sixteenth- and Seventeenth-Century France

The dual themes of this volume

The dual themes of this volume are the characteristics of patronage relationships and their political uses in early modern France.

Overview of scholarly literature

The first essays provide an overview of the scholarly literature and suggest that the obligatory reciprocity of the patron-client exchange was a defining characteristic.

Comparison of patronage relationships

The third and fourth essays compare patronage relationships with kinship and friendship, while the following two focus on the patronage role of noblewomen.

Role of brokerage in state formation

Professor Kettering then looks at the role of brokerage in state formation in early modern France, comparing this with other early modern societies.

Patronage in religious wars and civil war

In the final section she explores the role of patronage in the religious wars of the late 16th century and in the civil war of the Fronde a half century later, and the ways in which it was affected by the changing lifestyles of the great nobles during the late 17th century.