Premium
Louis XII and the porcupine: transformations of a royal emblem
Author(s) -
Hochner N
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
renaissance studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.117
H-Index - 16
eISSN - 1477-4658
pISSN - 0269-1213
DOI - 10.1111/1477-4658.00354
Subject(s) - emblem , reign , porcupine , disenchantment , history , duty , art , monarchy , iconography , ancient history , art history , classics , literature , philosophy , theology , law , political science , paleontology , politics , biology
Louis XII, king of France (r. 1498–1515), inherited the emblem of the porcupine from his grandfather and maintained its symbolism of invincibility to particular effect in the circumstances of the Italian wars and the reconquest of the Milanese. However, the bellicose role of the porcupine within royal propaganda became increasingly less adequate to the image of a ‘père du peuple’ that Louis XII adopted in 1506. This study argues through detailed analysis of medals, royal entries, illuminated manuscripts, and other resource material that a certain disenchantment was felt towards the aggressive porcupine leading to its relative neglect in royal pageantry and iconography by the second half of Louis's reign. This shift is indicative of a deeper hesitancy between the image of paternal care – faithful to the duty of the Most Christian King – and the image of paternal care – faithful to the duty of the Most Christian King – and the image of glorious triumph – more suited to a bellicose warrior. The transformations undergone by the porcupine reveal the desire to redefine the very notion of the duty of kingship.