Journal of East China Normal University (Philosoph ›› 2014, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (6): 93-99.

• 城市史研究 • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Power and Space: On the Kingship and City of Paris in the Late Middle Ages

ZHU Ming   

  • Online:2014-11-15 Published:2014-12-11
  • Contact: ZHU Ming
  • About author:ZHU Ming

Abstract: Since the Valois Dynasty in 14th century, the French kings had been more and more interested in making Paris as a place for the demonstration of power. This was related to the political situation of that time. When the internal and external crises forced the kings to seek for the legitimacy of their kingship, they made the space as a strategy. Via buildings, arts, rituals as well as urban planning, the kings manifested their control upon the urban space. All their efforts were carried out in order to strengthen their own authority and to consolidate their rule. The symbols of power were integrated with space, which reflected the character that in the Middle Ages the cities were closely connected with politics. In other words, cities were space of the demonstration of power.