Popes and the Papal Court, 1503-1655 is the first book-length account of the early modern papal court in English. As well as bringing together art historical, social, and political studies in several languages, it contains a wealth of primary source material, such as advice manuals for cardinals and aspiring courtiers, accounts of Roman festivals, reports of visiting ambassadors and news reports from Rome deposited in the Vatican library.

The book argues that during the 16th and 17th centuries, popes were conscious to varying degrees of their responsibilities to conserving and...