Gendering Princely Dynasties: Some Notes on Family Structure,Social Networks,and Communication at the Courts of the Margraves of Brandenburg‐Ansbach around 1500

The paper presents princely dynasties and families of the late middle ages as complex subjects of historical‐anthropological gender research. It sketches some basic characteristics of aristocratic families and their structure, of their networks of relations and communication. The dynamics of family networks in connection with life course and family life cycle are discussed with particular attention to the consequences of aging and age. The perspective on the family includes the court. Its architecture and its personnel, in particular the female entourage, are examined in relation to members of the princely families. The dynasty of the Margraves of Brandenburg‐Ansbach has been chosen as the main point of reference because their family correspondence offers rich material to exemplify these aspects.