| Popis: |
Renaissance cardinals proclaimed their status in various ways. When riding, particularly when accompanying the pope or royalty, cardinals preferred to ride on a mule. This essay examines the social, legal, and ceremonial issues surrounding cardinals’ use of mules as a sign of humility, while they simultaneously spent large sums on obtaining and equipping these animals. The grand ceremonial tack for formal processions was essential to the cohesive image that the Sacred College tried to project in public ritual. The examination of images of cardinals on mules, historical accounts in diaries and letters, as well as entries in account books, indicates the importance of the dual image of humility and magnificence portrayed by pontifical mules. |
