Call for papers - International Conference «Debuerit habere Regnum. Deposing and proclaiming Kings in the Middle Ages»

Lisboa, Faculdade de Letras da Universidade de Lisboa, 12-14 Out. 2016 

Org. Centro de História da Universidade de Lisboa

In 1366 Enrique de Trastámara, illegitimate son of King Alfonso XI of Castile, proclaimed himself king and forced his half brother Pedro I to leave the kingdom. A few years earlier, in 1359, Muhammad V of Granada had been overthrown by his half-brother. In 1385 João de Avis, illegitimate son of the Portuguese king Pedro I, was proclaimed king and defeated the husband of the legitimate heress, Juan I of Castile. In 1399 Richard II was deposed and Henry IV declared king. These are just some examples of depositions and self-proclamations of medieval kings. There are many more, before and after, in Christian and Muslim kingdoms, both effective and unsuccessful. The aim of this interdisciplinary conference is to discuss medieval kings’ depositions and irregular self-proclamations within a European context, and especially the ceremonies and discourses associated to these events. The conference presentations will focus on:

• The ceremonies: abdications, coronations, depositions, proclamations, etc. Contemporary images and verbal descriptions.
• The symbolic objects associated to the monarchy and, thereby, to those ceremonies (crowns, thrones, scepters, etc.).
• The discourses and arguments used or created to legitimize depositions and irregular proclamations. The theoretical basis.
• The later justifications and refutations: historiographical narratives, claims, etc.

The conference welcomes proposals for 20-minute papers related to these subjects, containing the name, affiliation and address of the author, an abstract of about 300 words, and a brief CV. For co-authorships please include names, affiliations, addresses and a brief CV of all authors, and indicate who will serve as presenter. Presentations can be in Portuguese, Spanish, English, French and Italian. Proposals should be sent by 31st of March 2016 to debuerithabere@gmail.com. Notification of acceptance will be given on 30th April 2016.

Call For Papers