Beyond ambassadors : consuls, missionaries, and spies in premodern diplomacy

"Because of the overarching shadow of 'the state' in all things diplomatic, traditional diplomatic history has neglected the study of any actors in foreign relations other than state diplomats, such as ambassadors. This volume focuses on the question of how and why consuls, missionaries, and spies not formally tied to the state or a prince could play a role in premodern diplomatic relations. It highlights their multiple loyalties, their volatility, and the porous boundaries of diplomatic activity. Historical research on non-state actors - in the context of the so-called new diplomatic history - is all the more urgent as it demonstrates their undeniably significant contributions to the formation of Europe's international relations. Contributors are: Maurits Ebben, Dante Fedele, Alan Marshall, Jacques Paviot, Felicia Roșu, Jean-Baptiste Santamaria, Louis Sicking, and John Watkins"--ISBN : 9789004438842 Half Title Series Information Title Page Copyright Page Contents List of Maps and Table Notes on Contributors Introduction Bibliography Part 1 Theoretical Challenges Chapter 1 Premodern Non-State Agency: The Theoretical, Historical, and Legal Challenge Sources and Bibliography Chapter 2 Plurality of Diplomatic Agents in Premodern Literature on the Ambassador 1 Medieval Roots 2 The Literature on the Ambassador in the Early Modern Period Sources and Bibliography Part 2 Consuls Chapter 3 Space, Agency, and Conflict Management in the Late Medieval Baltic: Urban Colonies and Representatives of Hanse Towns at Scania 1 Introduction 2 Space and Borders: the Topography of the Vittes at Scania 3 Vögte: Governance of the Vittes and Urban Representation at Scania 4 Conflict Management at Scania 5 Conclusion Sources and Bibliography Chapter 4 Your High and Mighty Lordships’ Most Humble Servants: Dutch Consuls and the States General’s Diplomacy in Spain, 1648–1661 1 Introduction1 2 Consuls and the Directie van de Levantse Handel en de Navigatie in de Middellandse Zee 3 Dutch Consuls in Spanish Ports: Jacob van den Hove, Consul in Cádiz 4 Dutch Consuls and the Court in Madrid 5 Van Renswoude Resident in Madrid 6 The States General, the Resident, and the Consul 7 Conclusion Sources and Bibliography Part 3 Missionaries Chapter 5 The Mendicant Friars: Actors in Diplomatic Encounters with the Mongols Sources and Bibliography Chapter 6 The New Indies, the Desired Indies: Antonio Possevino and the Jesuits between Diplomacy and Missionarism in Northeastern Europe, 1577–1587 1 Possevino’s Rise: Muscovy and Transylvania 2 Possevino’s Fall: Szatmár and the Polish-Lithuanian Interregnum 3 Possevino’s Identities 4 Epilogue: the Jesuits and the Delayed Invasion of Muscovy 5 Conclusions Sources and Bibliography Part 4 Spies Chapter 7 Secrets, Diplomatics, and Spies in Late Medieval France and in the Burgundian State: Parallel Practices and Undercover Operations 1 Introduction 2 Diplomacy Facing Espionage: the Cult of Secrecy 3 Networks, Infiltration and Corruption: Diplomacy in Danger 4 Espionage and Diplomacy in the Era of Handwriting 5 The Prince Enters the Scene: the Temptation of Personal Policy 6 Diplomacy at the School of Espionage: Dangerous Liaisons 7 A Common source: the Power of the Prince 8 Espionage Serving Diplomacy 9 Diplomacy Serving Espionage 10 The Rise of Secret Diplomacy: Spy Behaviour 11 Power Brokers, Spies, and Diplomats: Networks of Influence 12 Versatile Careers 13 A Good Candidate for Espionage and Diplomacy: the Cleric 14 Nobles, Defectors, Renegades, Strangers: between Instrumentalization and Mistrust 15 Between Princely and Urban Diplomacy: the Bourgeois 16 Conclusion: Diplomacy in an Era of Suspicion Sources and Bibliography Chapter 8 ‘Secret Wheeles’: Clandestine Information, Espionage, and European Intelligence 1 “Philosophicall rudiments” 2 Diplomacy and the Non-state Actor 3 “Le monde du secret” 4 The Form and Functions of the Spy 5 The White Brothers and Their Intelligence Business 6 The Cromwellian Protectorate and the White Brothers 7 Conclusion Sources and Bibliography Index of Names Index of Places "Because of the overarching shadow of 'the state' in all things diplomatic, traditional diplomatic history has neglected the study of any actors in foreign relations other than state diplomats, such as ambassadors. This volume focuses on the question of how and why consuls, missionaries, and spies not formally tied to the state or a prince could play a role in premodern diplomatic relations. It highlights their multiple loyalties, their volatility, and the porous boundaries of diplomatic activity. Historical research on non-state actors - in the context of the so-called new diplomatic history - is all the more urgent as it demonstrates their undeniably significant contributions to the formation of Europe's international relations. Contributors are: Maurits Ebben, Dante Fedele, Alan Marshall, Jacques Paviot, Felicia Roșu, Jean-Baptiste Santamaria, Louis Sicking, and John Watkins"-- Provided by publisher This volume focuses on the question of how and why non-state actors - consuls, missionaries, and spies - could play a role in premodern diplomatic relations. It highlights their multiple loyalties, their volatility, and the porous boundaries of diplomatic activity.