This book is based on an international conference held in the capital of Hainault to celebrate the city of Mons as European Capital of Culture (2015). For the first time, through a range of interdisciplinary studies, the magnificent festivals created to honour Prince Philip of Spain as he journeyed across Europe to receive his sovereignty of the Low Countries are brought to life. The splendour of entries in the cities of Northern Italy (such as Genoa and Milan) was challenged by the civic allegories of triumph displayed throughout the Low Countries in Ghent, Antwerp, and Amsterdam. Outpacing all that magnificence were the entertainments prepared by Mary of Hungary at Binche: triumphal arches, martial feats of arms, balls, masquerades, and castle-stormings entertained Emperor Charles V and his son Prince Philip. The essays in this volume reconstitute the political and social context of these extraordinary celebrations and focus on the purpose and role of festival in the changing political strategies of Charles V. They are illustrated with a total of 36 b&w and 36 colour images. Contributors: Sydney Anglo, Francesca Bortoletti, Stijn Bussels, Tobias Capwell, Jose Eloy Hortal Munoz, Felix Labrador Arroyo, Margaret M. McGowan, R. L. M. Morris, Jessie Park, Yves Pauwels, M. J. Rodriguez-Salgado, Margaret Shewring, Hugo Soly, Lisa Wiersma.