An Imperial Court (or imperial court) is the noble court of an empire (see List of empires).
For example:
- The imperial court (Holy Roman Empire) of the Holy Roman Empire.
- The noble court of an Emperor of China, Emperor of Japan, Emperor of Ethiopia, Emperor of Austria, Emperor of India, Emperor of Persia, etc.
- The pre-Meiji period Imperial Court in Kyoto
- The noble courts of the Roman Empire, German Empire, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Ottoman Empire, Zulu Empire, Mughal Empire, Byzantine Empire, etc.
In addition, the idea of an "Imperial Court" has given its name to:
- Imperial Court System, non-profit organization in North America
- Imperial Courts, Los Angeles, California, public housing
Famous quotes containing the words imperial and/or court:
“All the terrors of the French Republic, which held Austria in awe, were unable to command her diplomacy. But Napoleon sent to Vienna M. de Narbonne, one of the old noblesse, with the morals, manners, and name of that interest, saying, that it was indispensable to send to the old aristocracy of Europe men of the same connection, which, in fact, constitutes a sort of free- masonry. M. de Narbonne, in less than a fortnight, penetrated all the secrets of the imperial cabinet.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“Rome, like Washington, is small enough, quiet enough, for strong personal intimacies; Rome, like Washington, has its democratic court and its entourage of diplomatic circle; Rome, like Washington, gives you plenty of time and plenty of sunlight. In New York we have annihilated both.”
—M. E. W. Sherwood (1826–1903)