"Moraviae Aquila": the celebration of the new provincial governor Franz Josef von Wallenstein in Jesuit drama On the representation of the Moravian nobility at the beginning of the 18th century

One of the most significant political and social occasions in Baroque Moravia was the ceremonial installation of the newly-appointed Moravian provincial governor. In 1719 Franz Josef von Wallenstein, who otherwise resided mainly in Bohemia and who was connected to the Moravian milieu thanks to his possession of the Třebíč estate, became the new provincial governor for a short time. In view of the fact that Charles VI had chosen him as his representative in Moravia, he enjoyed extraordinary influence and position in the provincial community thanks to his function as governor. For this reason, the royal capital Brno – the seat of the tribunal – was also preparing to celebrate him as a distinguished personage, as was the tradition, by organising a festive fireworks display. However, in the end this was not realised, as Franz Josef von Wallenstein resigned from his position that same year. On the occasion of the celebrations for the new governor, a play, at least, was performed by students from the Brno Jesuit grammar school, entitled Moraviae Aquila. This production, employing numerous heraldic references and allusions to the merits of the Wallenstein family, was subsequently published in the form of a theatrical synopsis. It also included a list of the student actors, among whom we can find famous noble names, as well as descendants of tribunal officials and the city patriciate in general. The aforementioned nobles appeared in the production in appropriate roles corresponding to their class origins, in order to demonstrate the position of their own families and at the same time address the new Moravian provincial governor who was present in person, and who could subsequently become an important advocate or arbiter in the career of a certain nobleman or citizen with heraldic rights.