Elizabethan Diplomacy and Epistolary Culture

This book explores the diplomatic letter-book, a material text never before studied in its own right, to understand Elizabethan diplomacy and political administration. It argues that diplomacy is one of several intertwined areas of crown service and a site of production of political information, and that close attention to the material features of these letter-books reveals the shared skills and practices of diplomatic activity, domestic governance, and early modern archiving. It establishes a métier of state actor that participates in an early modern growth in administration and information management, and draws a parallel between the digital and the textual history of Elizabethan diplomacy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 290 pages
Publication date: 24 May 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

A groundbreaking exploration of Elizabethan diplomacy, this book offers a fresh perspective on the world of letters that underpinned diplomacy and political administration. By delving into a previously overlooked material text—the diplomatic letter-book—author Elizabeth R. Williamson argues that a renewed focus on information gathering enables us to understand diplomacy in its rightful place as one of several interconnected domains of crown service and as a key site for the production of political information during the reign of Elizabeth I. Through meticulous attention to the physical characteristics of these letter-books, Williamson sheds light on the environment in which they were created, copied, and preserved, revealing the shared skills and practices of diplomatic activity, domestic governance, and early modern archiving. This archaeological excavation of epistolary and archival culture establishes a new métier of state actor that actively participates in—and indeed shapes—a notable early modern growth in administration and information management.

Extending this discussion to our contemporary context of information obsession, Williamson makes a compelling case that the digital realm holds a natural place within this textual history that we cannot afford to ignore. This study makes substantial contributions to epistolary culture, diplomatic history, and early modern studies more broadly, demonstrating that understanding Elizabethan diplomacy extends far beyond the individual ambassadors or agents traditionally defined as such. It offers a gateway into an entire administrative landscape and political culture, providing valuable insights into the complex web of relationships and interactions that shaped the Elizabethan era.

In conclusion, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the rich tapestry of Elizabethan diplomacy and the broader context of early modern politics and administration. Through its innovative approach and insightful analysis, Williamson offers a fresh perspective on an important period in history, shedding light on the ways in which information, power, and culture intertwined in the Elizabethan world.

Weight: 576g
Dimension: 157 x 236 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367761295