To understand the incomprehensible. Diplomats of king Philip II of Spain on a mission to the Polish-Lithuanian Republic during first free elections (1573-1587)

Abstract

The first three free elections in the Polish-Lithuanian Republic (1573-1589) involved the activity of many international diplomats and agents. Their main goal, though not the only one, was to win the throne for their candidate. It was particularly difficult for diplomats from monarchies like Spain that had hardly any experience with Poland and Lithuania (negotiations of the famous „Neapolitan sums” repayment had not lead to mutual recognition). In consequence, the Spanish diplomacy did not know the country in which they were to compete with France or Turkey, their deadly rivals, which put them in a very difficult situation. First, they had to act in a whole different reality, mostly due to differences in political culture and values. Secondly, they were deprived of their allies. The famous international Spanish network of agents (partido español) did not reach the Commonwealth and cooperation with the imperial diplomacy produced poor effects.

On the basis of Spanish diplomatic correspondence concerning the so-called “Polish Buissnes” (negócio de Polonia) we may analyze the clash of two different sociopolitical orders, cultures and sets of values. Studying the image of the Commonwealth seen through the eyes of Spanish diplomats offers a great opportunity for highlighting some aspects of the construction of the Modern Europe in XVI century.