Chapter 13 - Diplomacy

Summary

Diplomatic activity of various kinds forged close cultural links between England and Scotland and European polities. English and Scottish monarchs considered themselves part of a European ‘society of princes’, which was reflected in events held at court and the ways in which diplomats were incorporated into dynastic occasions. They regularly gave presents to, and received gifts from, foreign royals. Increasingly, diplomats at court were incorporated into the gifting framework; this, and the increasing volume of court entertainment driven by an increase in resident diplomats at court and the need to avoid disruptions to court events caused by precedence disputes among ambassadors, saw diplomacy spur cultural production in England in particular. At the same time, the rise in diplomatic activity inspired authors to explore themes related to diplomatic practices and cultures. Meanwhile, English and Scottish diplomats were important agents of cultural exchange, acting as cultural brokers for important political figures back home, and many of them were also avid consumers of paintings, furniture, and other cultural goods which they imported back to England or Scotland.