Early Modern Diplomatic History

Over the last two decades, the study of early modern diplomatic history has changed considerably. Once diplomatic historians took a bureaucratic state-centric focus to the topic and typically produced studies of foreign policy. Now they are more likely to focus on the processes by which international relations were maintained, prioritising the study of individual diplomats and monarchs, personal and information networks, and princely courts. Scholars have reinterpreted the chronology and geography of the introduction of resident ambassadors in Europe and have broadened their field of analysis to include diplomatic gifts, diplomatic ceremonial, diplomatic hospitality, and other aspects of diplomatic culture