Women’s Equestrian Culture during the Reign of Louis XIV

This book examines the rise of the Amazon as a fashionable gender icon during the reign of Louis XIV of France (1643–1715). By encouraging female courtiers to pursue traditionally masculine pastimes such as horse riding and hunting, the Sun King challenged contemporary gender norms and provided elite women with new spaces to embrace an athletic lifestyle.

The book offers a compelling exploration of how female involvement in equestrian activities such as the royal hunts shaped the distinctive leisure culture of the French court, where the elegant practice of intergender sociability reflected the ethos of galanterie. Parading his army of Amazons in front of foreign diplomats, Louis XIV conveyed the image of a strong kingdom and a superior civilization. Images of elegant Amazons were diffused across Europe thanks to the burgeoning fashion press, magazines such as the Mercure galant and Bonnart prints. Through detailed analysis of royal hunts, equestrian pursuits, and the fashion press, the author reveals how intergender sociability and galanterie shaped early modern culture.

Ideal for historians, gender studies scholars, and enthusiasts of early modern European culture, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of fashion, politics, and gender during the reign of the Sun King.