Music from the medieval Landshuter Hochzeit 1475, No.4

Countless visitors from all over the world have experienced the 'Landshuter Hochzeit 1475', a historical pageant that is among the greatest in Europe. More than 2000 participants in medieval costume bring a festival to life in all the splendour of the Late Middle Ages -- the wedding between Hedwig, the Polish King's daughter, and Georg, the son of the Landshut Duke.
In 1474 ambassadors had been sent to Cracow to negotiate the marriage to the Polish King's daughter. In the autumn of 1475 the 18-year-old bride departed with a large escort and arrived at Landshut after travelling for two months. Princes and bishops welcomed the bride, and the Elector of Brandenburg referred to the union as
divine ordinance "for the benefit of Christendom and the Empire".
In the majestic St. Martin's Church the Archbishop of Salzburg conducted the ceremony. The bridal procession then moved through the spacious main street (Altstadt) and from the hill the castle 'worthy of a king' greeted them as it does today. From the windows of the houses the ladies watched the knights jousting. In the Town Hall the Emperor led the first dance with the bride and ten thousand guests caroused, played and danced.
Around the year 1880 artists from Munich painted scenes from the 'Landshuter Hochzeit 1475' in the State Room of the Landshut town hall. These frescoes aroused in some townsmen the desire to revive the procession of princes, bishops, musicians, bride and bridegroom.
In 1902 they founded the association 'Die Förderer' and held their first bridal procession in 1903. Nowadays visitors are enchanted by a pageant which, through its historical accuracy, has developed into a documentary. The festival play in the Town Hall makes them familiar with the exciting events of 1475. The concerts "Music from around 1475" and "Laudate Dominum" acquaint them with Gothic music. They can watch the 'masque', a burlesque entertainment. At the Town Hall they witness medieval dancing and playing. In the tavern in the "Steckengasse" they indulge in medieval life, enjoying music, food and drink. Festive games in the night camp give the guests an idea of the great festival. During the procession they cheer the bride, and on the tournament ground knights perform the jousting.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• landshuter
• hochzeit
• 1475
• music
• medieval
• middle
• ages