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This thesis explores ceremonial entries in Renaissance France from the perspective of the townspeople who designed and produced them. Existing studies of French entries have tended to see them as expressions of monarchical power, with townspeople coming in submission before the majesty of the king. In contrast, this thesis demonstrates that ceremonial entries were nuanced civic ceremonies which demonstated urban pride and power. Chapter 1 details the weeks of preparations that went into staging a civic reception and the townspeople’s numerous efforts to ensure that the entry was a success. Chapter 2 examines the extramural greeting, where the civic council and other notables came out of the town in procession to greet the visitor and make the formal welcoming speech. The extramural greeting was an important part of the ceremony, as it was the first point of personal contact between the urban elite and the dignitary. The intramural procession is discussed in chapter three. During this part of the ceremony, the dignitary entered through the town gate and processed through the streets until they reached the town’s principal church, where a short service was held. The urban fabric was decorated with flowers, linens, triumphal arches and other decorative structures, while theatrical performances were staged along the length of the processional route. The streets were thronged with ordinary townspeople who had come to both watch and participate in the ceremony. Chapter 4 is concerned with the post-entry festivities, which included banquets, further processions and jousting. The exchange of gifts between the royal guest and the town council was an important element of the post-entry ceremonies, as it was the occasion when the civic councillors could win significant new economic grants for the crown in return for providing a valuable item of silverware.

The aim of this dissertation is to explore the contribution made by the nobility, both Gallo-Roman and Frankish, to the creation of a new society after the collapse of imperial authority in the west, Gallo-Frankish society. The first chapter of this dissertation is a review of the sources, both ancient and modern, used in the research undertaken for this dissertation. It is important to realise that, while not as numerous as those of other periods, sufficient ancient material survives to make a study such as this valid. Modern issues and debates will be highlighted, including an indication of what led me to this particular thesis. The second chapter outlines the history of Gaul and the barbarians to the middle of the fifth century. It then looks at the institutions that were the backbone of Gallo-Roman society. The third chapter explores the lives of a number of individuals who lived in Gaul during the late third and fourth centuries. They exemplify the challenges that faced the nobility and the ways they found of facing them. Chapter four introduces the Franks as the successors to imperial rule in Gaul. A narrative history is followed by a study of the institutions that they made use of in establishing their power. Chapter five narrows the focus still further and looks at the role that the monarchy and the nobility had to play in the creation of Gallo-Frankish society. It will look at specific examples in order to demonstrate the vital role that the fusion taking place between Gallo-Romans and Franks played in this process. The final chapter, chapter six reaches the conclusion that Gallo-Frankish society was based on an amalgamation of Gallo-Romans and Franks, an amalgamation that was remarkably peaceful, given the events of the period.

In Chapter One the breakdown of local administration in France during the summer of 1789 is observed. The process by which the Assemblee nationale came to consider creation of new circumscriptions for electoral and administrative purposes is traced. The report of the comtie de constitution on the division of France is discussed, the influence of Sieyes upon it examined, and the passage through the legislature of measures projected in it viewed. Consideration is given to exchanges between Thouret and Mirabeau which elucidate motives behind the committee's proposals. The decrees creating a new geographical structure, the method by which they were effected, and the course that this took are followed. Utilisation of new circumscriptions in the ecclesiastical and judicial organisations which came to be formed is examined. In Chapter two the manoeuvrings, deals, and compromises of representatives of communities in the centre-west of France which resulted in a single departement being created in Aunis and Saintonge are observed, as are ones of representatives of communities within the two provinces which resulted in the decision of the aassemblee nationale to alternate departmental administrative establishments between Saintes, Saint-Jean-d'Angely, and La Rochelle unless the first electoral assembly of the departement chose to recommend that they be placed permanently at a single location. The form of the external delimitations and of the internal boundary structure of what became the departement of Charente-Inferieure is studied. Reaction at La Rochelle to the decree forming the departement is seen, and the decision of the electoral assembly to recommend placement of all establishments at Saintes observed. The work of the new departmental and district authorities in clarifying details on the delimitations of Charente-Inferieure with contiguous departements, in making changes to the internal boundary structure, and in suppressing and unifying municipalities and parishes is examined.