Although the Spanish court ceremonial is often assumed to be well-known in numerous historical representations, there has so far been a lack of source-based detailed accounts on this topic. This cultural-historical gap regarding a complex socio-communicative practice of the past, which continues to have an impact today and is publicly visible worldwide, for example at royal weddings, is addressed by the present book. It traces the emergence of the Spanish court ceremonial from the Burgundian court ceremonial by comparing the organizational structures of both court ceremonials and illustrates the influence of the old Castilian court structure on the new ceremonial. Based on more than 50 documents from Spanish archives, the courtly life in Spain during the time of the Habsburgs is vividly and illustratively described here.