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In order to analyse the diplomatic activities of the members of the #emdiplomat’s household, research has to shift focus with regard to #emdiplomacysSources. It is not enough to evaluate diplomatic file material, which rarely mentions these individuals. Instead, research must increasingly resort to first person documents. (10/10)
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Lower-ranking envoys often resided in place for decades and thus built networks that enabled them to compensate for the disadvantages of their low status. Their lack of access to the ruler was compensated for by their contacts with members of the court.
Neither have these lower-ranking agents and residents nor their networking and its importance for the functioning of #emdiplomacy been researched in detail, as Externbring and Ferber highlight. The same is true for the #emdiplomat's household. (9/10)
During the #ThirtyYearsWar she turned into an officially accredited #emdiplomat – an absolute exceptional case because most female #earlymodern #diplomats were acting informally. In 1638 Renée du Bec-Crespin was offically entrusted to hand over instructions regarding the negotiations on #Breisach fortress to her husband.
In 1645 she was dispatched to #Poland as ambassadrice extraordinare in the context of the marriage between Maria de Gonzaga and Polish king Wladyslaw IV. Although it was quite normal that (experienced) ladies-in-waiting accompanied a princely bride when she moved to her new #dynasty, these missions usually were led by men. Renée Bec-Crespin was made head of the embassy and thus the first and most distinguished representative of the royal family. This once more emphasises her exceptional standing as one of only a very few #womeninmalefields. (2/3)
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#emdiplomat of the day: Renée du Bec-Crespin (ca. 1614-1659)
Renée du Bec-Crespin descended from an old noble family in #Normandy. In 1632 she married Jean-Baptiste de Guébriand, the later Marshal of France. Like many other #earlyModern married couples, the Guébriands formed a working couple, a term established by German historian Heide Wunder. Despite distinct gendered roles, norms and duties within a household, married couples complemented each other and worked together. However, a wife’s activities and scope of action could usually be characterised as more informal as her husbands.
This was not the case with Renée Du Bec-Crespin who from 1638 officially was authorized to conduct his husband’s businesses, act as a representative for his interests at the #court of #France, maintain relations to ministers as well as to take the role of the financial manager of his troops. (1/3)
#emdiplomat of the day: Antonio Emanuel Ne Vunda (?-1608)
When talking about #emdiplomats most people probably think of middle-aged white men. And, honestly, most studies within European #NewDiplomaticHistory focus on just this group, thereby, reinforcing a too narrow picture of diplomatic actors. During the last years the perspective was broadened, for example by paying more attention to female #diplomats, and we have already introduced some examples of women in #diplomacy in this year’s #emdiplomacy #adventcalendar. However, these attempts still remain part of a eurocentric white narrative on #earlymodern diplomacy. Therefore, we want to draw your attention to diplomats of colour. (1/6)
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But Barbaro is not so much known for this tragic career, that clearly shows how precarious the job of an #emdiplomat could be, but for his writings. During all this time he continued to pursue his academic interests, translating classical texts e.g. by Aristotle and writing his own treatises. Especially his treatise on the duty of the ambassador - “De officio legati” - proved to be quite influential. Arguing from his own experience as an ambassador he explains the duties and requirements of an #emdiplomat, how they should behave themselves and how they should fulfil their offices. (3/4)
#emdiplomat of the day: Ermola Barbaro the Younger (1453/54-1493)
Ermola Barbaro is another #emdiplomat with quite an eventful life showing that being an #emdiplomat was not without personal risks, but also with the opportunity for fame beyond death. (1/4)
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Gyllenborg’s career as an #emdiplomat was quite eventful, full of conspiracies and failures. Nonetheless, back at home in Sweden he continued to make a career and later becoming chancellor of State and chancery president as well as chancellor of the universities of Lund and Upsalla.
His career clearly shows the dangers of the job of an #emdiplomat, but also that it was often only the stepping stone for a career at the home court. (3/4)
#emdiplomat of the day: Carl Gyllenborg (1679-1746)
You think #emdiplomacy is boring? Then you don’t know Carl Gyllenborg’s life; it reads like a spy novel, although it began quite ordinary for a Swedish diplomat.
Gyllenborg was born as the son of the Swedish politician Count Jacob Gyllenborg. He studied law, latin and history at the university of Uppsala, before he joined the army and fought in the Great Northern War.
This is already interesting, as the connection between military experience and expertise and #emdiplomacy is an aspect that needs more attention from research. (1/4)
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