Rites of deliverance and disenchantment: The marriage celebrations for Charles II and Catherine of Braganza, 1661-62

Abstract

This article examines the political significance of royal and civic pageantry staged in Portugal and England in 1661-62 to celebrate the marriage of Charles II to Catherine of Braganza. Portugal used its celebrations to project an image of imperial power that enhanced its presumption of national glory. Charles's indifference to arranging public celebrations reveals the growing distance between him and his subjects only two years into his reign. The lack of royal focus in the City's celebratory pageantry provided an opportunity subtly to marginalize Charles. His subsequent withdrawal from large-scale public ceremonial deprived him of opportunities to garner popular support.