CourtStudies

Our March VSS session is tomorrow, 19 March at 17:00 GMT/18:00 CET! Come along to hear Rebecca I. Arnheim talk about Eleonora d’Aragona’s central role in the feminine networks that shaped Italian courtly life during the Quattrocento. Register below 👇 eventbrite.fr/e/mar-vss-patr…

One of our Court Studies team will be speaking on the topic "Court Dwarfs, Physical Difference and Institutionalization" on 17 March at 6pm GMT! Details below 👇

What was the significance of the Stuart Withdrawing Room? Come along tomorrow evening to find out! You need to register by 5pm today in order to attend!

Join us this Thursday 19 Feb 18:00 CET/17:00 GMT to hear about "A space of significance: The evolution of the Stuart Withdrawing Room" Come along to hear about the importance of accessibility at the Stuart Court from Julia Hamilton! Register below 👇 eventbrite.fr/e/feb-vss-a-sp…

Buckle up! On Monday 9 February, Lily Freeman-Jones (Queen Mary University of London) will present “Soaring Arias and Loose Stitches: Women as Race-Makers Between Early Modern European Courts”. 18:00 GMT – Online via Zoom, register here: eventbrite.co.uk/e/lily-freeman…

How are your 2026 New Year's resolutions going? If one of those was to submit an abstract for our 2026 Conference, then you're in luck! The deadline has been extended to 28 Februrary! Do you have a topic connected to "Storytelling at Court"? If so, we want to hear from you! 👇

For more information, visit royalhistsoc.org/calendar/clio-…

CfP "Clio Reframed: Women Writing History, 1500-1750" exploring the role of women as writers of 'history' including chronicles, drama and verse narratives - links to our 2026 conference theme "Storytelling at Court"! 🗓 Proposals due 28 Feb 🗓 Conference 18-19 June 📍Oxford Uni

By the reign of Louis XV the setablishment of the Royal Academy of Surgeons. Also included here an obstetrics model. Matthew Howles at SCS

A botanical garden was also part of Versailles. For example producing the first pineapple grown in France. Matthew Howles at SCS

A large menagerie was situated at Versailles. Used both for scientific investigation and to showcase gifts sent to the French King. "Star of the show" Louis XV's rhinoceros (died in the revolution, possibly stabbed by revolutionaries...). Matthew Howles at SCS

The Marly Machine was used to pump huge quantities of water uphill. Fountaineers would whistle to each other when fountains were to be turned on as the King was strolling in the garden. Matthew Howles on “Curating Versailles: Science and Splendour at the Science Museum”.

The Versailles landscape was carefully mapped by a scientist during 1660s. Finding water sources to create reservoires. Over eight million cubic waters then channelled to the palace, largely to supply the fountains. Matthew Howles on “Curating Versailles: Science and Splendour

Louis XIV "also understood science as a tool for diplomacy". Copies of these instruments were given as diplomatic gifts to Persia, Siam, and China. Matthew Howles (Science Museum) on “Curating Versailles: Science and Splendour at the Science Museum”.

Louis XVI founding the Royal Academy of Sciences in the 1660s. Painting packed with important objects (and people). Matthew Howles (Science Museum) on “Curating Versailles: Science and Splendour at the Science Museum”.

Louis XV and Louis XVI had more personal interests in science, such as botany and astronomy for the former. Matthew Howles (Science Museum) on “Curating Versailles: Science and Splendour at the Science Museum”.

Matthew Howles (Science Museum) on “Curating Versailles: Science and Splendour at the Science Museum”. Exhibition introducing the image of Versailles as a "place of serious scientific" pursuits using objects from Versailles and other institutions.

On Monday 26 January, Matthew Howles (Science Museum) will delight us with his lecture on “Curating Versailles: Science and Splendour at the Science Museum”. 18:00 GMT – Online via Zoom Register for free using this link: eventbrite.co.uk/e/matthew-howl…

Check out this Postdoc position below!

Don't forget to register for tomorrow's VSS session! See details below! eventbrite.fr/e/jan-vss-blac…