War—A Fortuitous Occasion for Social Disciplining and Political Centralization? The Case of Bavaria Under Maximilian I

Abstract

Maximilian I of Bavaria (r. 1598–1651) is widely considered the founder of princely absolutism in Bavaria; indeed, he stands as the paramount model of the early absolutist prince.² Aided by the Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648), as one scholar argues, Maximilian came close to realizing his vision of a religiously and politically aligned body of subjects; neither country estates nor church institutions offered him much resistance when he incorporated them into his princely state.³ It is easy to see why most experts regard the duke, who from 1623 was also elector of Bavaria, as the founder of princely absolutism. Maximilian used a spy system to keep a close watch on his subjects and he demanded constant written reports from his officials on numerous matters. A micro-manager par excellence, he interfered with his officers’ daily business whenever he saw the need. Even more importantly, Maximilian issued a flood of mandates, which tried to regulate every facet of social, economic, religious, educational, and private life: he pronounced on adultery and frivolity; blasphemy and swearing; almsgiving and beggary; schooling and catechism class; plague control and censorship; religious duties and festivities; church services and prayers; food and drink; extravagant clothes and skimpy skirts; and on who might take a bath or share a room with whom.

I thank the Charles Phelps Taft Fund at the University of Cincinnati for supporting my research for this project, as well as to Dr. Ingo Schwab at the Stadtarchiv in Munich for providing me with valuable references.