A mesa como arena de poder: o banquete do casamento de D. Afonso de Portugal e D. Isabel de Castela e Aragão (1490).

Abstract

This study analyzes the wedding banquet of D. Afonso of Portugal and D. Isabel of Aragon, held in Évora in 1490, focusing on the symbolic, diplomatic, political, and cultural aspects present at the royal table as described in The Chronicle of D. João II by Garcia de Resende. The research aims to understand how the royal table at this marriage strategically influenced the relationship between Portugal and Castile, reinforcing political alliances between the two kingdoms at the end of the 15th century, especially within a context marked by tensions and rivalries. The study explores how food and court rituals intertwined with the political and social issues of the time, providing a comprehensive view of the cultural and symbolic significance of the banquet in shaping diplomatic relations and the noble medieval imagination. It further highlights the ritualistic and symbolic importance of the event, not only in the choice of foods but also in ceremonial practices such as performances and theatricalities, reflecting the complexity of social and political interactions in that period.