ABSTRACT
Nineteenth-century historians in Spain liked to claim that the royal journey to and from the border on the Bidasoa river was celebrated along its stops in Spain with extravagant festivities. This chapter offers a brief overview of the festivities along the journey in Spain, and focuses on Elizabeth of Bourbon's entry into Madrid; this was the culmination of her journey. The preparations for the entry of Elizabeth into Madrid demonstrate how festivals can reflect the conflict between the various centres of power; in this case, between the resident court, the Duke of Lerma, the city council, and the merchants and guilds. Naturally, praise of the city hosting festivities was common in festival discourse and decorations, as had been evident in 1615 in Burgos and Segovia. The route to the Franco-Spanish border passed through several major cities, which naturally took the opportunity to stage festivals first for the 'Queen of France', and shortly afterwards for the new Princess Elizabeth of Bourbon.
