Customer Reviews

Renaissance Diplomacy

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Some 40 years after being published first it still is an interesting and fascinating book about the developemant of Diplomacy from late Middle Ages to the 30 Years War. Mattingly's study combines the history of political facts with the type of the early modern ambassador. Therefore he draws the picture of the Italian League system (1454-1494), the struggle between Habsburg and Valois (1495-1559) and the religious tensions before 1618. We get to know that only step by step ambassadors became resident, that they were not exchanged reciprocally like today, but how the Habsburg diplomatic network was established from Spain following Italian methods and prototypes. Mattingly gives accounts of the very prominent ambassadors during the Sixteenth Century and who they were able to act. There is special evidence about the crucial relation between Spain and England. However, the descriptions of the daily life and diplomatic practice fail to present the social typus of the ambassador: Mattingly only presents the most prominent figures and does not tell us the story about the ambassador's secritaries, staff and families (though I mentions that there is somebody). But, I think, modern scholars of diplomatic history who are interested in forms of political communication and network-studies shall read Mattingly's "Renaissance Diplomacy" first.

In this classic study, Garrett Mattingly describes the development of diplomatic methods and carefully delineates the diplomatic history beginning during the Renaissance that made these diplomatic procedures necessary. As relations between European states increased during the Renaissance, and later as religious differences arose between states, a system of permanent diplomatic representation became common. Resident ambassadors represented their government, negotiated and observed their resident country. The increasing frequency of relations in Italy made resident ambassadors a necessary tool.

The breakneck speed of diplomatic relations in Italy began in Milan, who had more spendable money than the other Italian states. Mattingly follows the adoption of resident ambassador from state to state as each state discovers the advantages of resident ambassador. Mattingly follows the labyrinthine diplomacy of the Italian wars, the Hapsburg Valois wars and the religious wars, and how the use of resident ambassadors affected them. We see how individual kings adopted the use of resident ambassadors, and meet some of the more notable ambassadors. Mattingly shows how the religious wars were hard times for diplomats who served in countries with different beliefs from their own.

Mattingly displays a deep understanding of the wide range of both primary and secondary sources he has used

I look forward to this book with great eagerness. Mattingly is a rare and superb historian who not only knows his subject thoroughly but tells the tale with great novel-like suspense. This is surely an excellent companion to his other historical books which are difficult to put down, even for the historically apathetic. Mattingly died in 1962; the fact his books are still being reprinted are a testimony to his skills as historian and storyteller.

I look forward to this book with great eagerness. Mattingly is a rare and superb historian who not only knows his subject thoroughly but tells the tale with great novel-like suspense. This is surely an excellent companion to his other historical books which are difficult to put down, even for the historically apathetic. Mattingly died in 1962; the fact his books are still being reprinted are a testimony to his skills as historian and storyteller.