THE HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR IN THE TOILS OF THE FRENCH PROTOCOL: THE VISIT OF CHARLES IV TO FRANCE

This study analyses the chapters on the journey of the emperor Charles IV to Paris (1377-1378), which are part of the Grandes Chroniques de France. It follows the critical insights offered by Heinz Thomas, Francoise Autrand and Anne D. Hedeman, putting forward specific objectives of this source. The approach regarding these chapters as a "protocol fiction" and a highly political document emphasizing the grandeur of France against the Holy roman Empire, makes possible to distinguish the perspective of the Emperor from that of the French Court, to reconstruct Charles's attitude to some specific events (i.e. his entry to Paris, festivities of the Epiphany, oaths of allegiance) and to establish a more equilibrated image of the Emperor's visit to France.(1)