Initially the development of holidays and festivals in the early modern period remained tied to the medieval tradition of the church’s liturgical year, which was largely binding on all Christendom. Beginning in the 17th century, dynastic and political holidays of highly variable territorial and social extent but less stability became increasingly important. Holidays – days in the course of the year set aside for common religious or political festivities, remembrance, and rest from work (“holy days,” French jours de…