Russia and Courtly Europe
Ritual and the Culture of Diplomacy, 1648–1725

This book explores diplomacy and ritual practice at a moment of new departures and change in both early modern Europe and Russia.

Jan Hennings (Author)

9781107050594, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 27 October 2016

310 pages, 17 b/w illus.
23.5 x 16 x 2.1 cm, 0.58 kg

'Apart from Russianists, this book would also prove highly relevant to Ottomanists and scholars of other polities sharing diplomatic relations with European powers.' Darren M. Smith, Diplomatica 2

In this book on early modern diplomacy, Jan Hennings explores the relationship between European powers and Russia beyond the conventional East-West divide from the Peace of Westphalia to the reign of Peter the Great. He examines how, at a moment of new departure in both Europe and Russia, the norms shaping diplomatic practice emerged from the complex relations and direct encounters within the world of princely courts rather than from incompatible political cultures. He makes clear the connections between dynastic representation, politics and foreign relations, and shows that Russia, despite its perceived isolation and cultural distinctiveness, participated in the developments and transformations that were taking place more broadly in diplomacy. The central themes of this study are the interlocking manifestations of social hierarchy, monarchical honour and sovereign status in both text and ritual. Related issues of diplomatic customs, institutional structures, personnel, negotiation practice, international law, and the question of cultural transfer also figure prominently.

Notes on transliteration, spelling, and dates
List of illustrations
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Introduction
1. Barbarous ceremonies? Russia's places in early modern diplomacy
2. Facts and fictions: the organisation of diplomatic practice
3. Through the prism of ritual: Anglo-Russian encounters in the seventeenth century
4. Stage and audience: the Grand Embassy to Vienna (1698) and Peter I's visit to Paris (1717)
5. From insult to imperator: changes and continuities in the reign of Peter I
Conclusion
Bibliography.

Subject Areas: Legal history [LAZ], Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700 [HBLH], European history [HBJD], History [HB]