1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910816570703321

Autore

Ebben Maurits Alexander <1955->

Titolo

Beyond ambassadors : consuls, missionaries, and spies in premodern diplomacy / / edited by Maurits A. Ebben, Louis Sicking

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Leiden ; ; Boston : , : BRILL, , [2021]

©2021

ISBN

90-04-43898-X

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource

Collana

Rulers & elites : comparative studies in governance ; ; Volume 19

Disciplina

327.209

Soggetti

Diplomacy - History

Diplomats - History

Consuls - History

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Sommario/riassunto

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.