Cross-territorial ties and multiple loyalties in the diplomacy around 1700: Johann Christoph von Urbich's (1653-1715) network of relationships between the Holy Roman Empire, Denmark and Russia
Final Report Abstract
In recent years, research into early modern diplomacy has highlighted the structural differences to modern diplomacy. Parallel relationships of loyalty to various princely houses and territories characterized the position of diplomats from the high nobility. Based on the career of the pastor's son Johann Christoph (von) Urbich, it was shown that the development of a wide network of relationships could also form the basis for promotion to higher positions for diplomatic actors from the second tier. Multiple relationships of loyalty generally characterized the professional practice of this emerging functional elite, but also determined the fragility of their professional existence, which was built on them. A client's multiple network of relationships could exist as long as a balance of interests was recognized in principle at the level of the princes. It could determine the attractiveness and value of the client. Shifting power constellations and changing interests of the princes or patrons could, however, devalue previously highly estimated networks of the prince's servant and, as in the case of Urbich, lead to accusations of disloyalty. This case study clearly shows that the maintenance of informal, multiple relationships of loyalty to various princely courts - parallel to the client relationships at the place of work - was essential for diplomatic practice around 1700. However, this case study also reveals the self-image of a client serving ad personam, whose professional existence was based on changing services and situationally changing clientele relationships. The characterization of low-ranking diplomatic actors as self-entrepreneurs that has emerged in recent research can generally be adopted as the self-assessment of an early modern diplomat serving ad personam. Another characteristic that has so far been mentioned rather casually in research, the early modern diplomatic actors' understanding of belonging to their own ideal group – the république des lettres is mentioned here as a reference – could be classified as an important factor for low-ranking diplomatic actors and for envoys, which was instrumentalised situationally within diplomatic practice.
Publications
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„Der Nachlass des Diplomaten Johann Christoph von Urbich (1653-1715): Ein Beleg für multiple Loyalitäten und Strategien als gängige Praxis?“, im Rahmen des Workshops: „Aspekte der diplomatischen Praxis um 1700“, 15. November 2019, Institut für Geschichte, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg
Anuschka Tischer
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Die multiplen Strategien Zar Peters I. und seines Wiener Gesandten Johann Christoph von Urbich hinsichtlich der Krone Polen-Litauens 1707-1709, in: Zeitschrift für Ostmitteleuropa-Forschung / Journal of East Central European Studies 69 (2020/3), S. 301-326
Stuber, Regina
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„The Strategies of Peter I and his Envoy in Vienna, Johann Christoph von Urbich, after the battle of Poltava (1709)“, im Rahmen des online veranstalteten Workshops „Study Group on Eighteenth Century Russia, Annual Meeting, 4-6 January 2021“ in Hoddesdon (Großbritannien), Department of International History, London School of Economics
Paul Keenan
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Die Bewahrung der Westfälischen Friedensordnung als Argument gegen die Forderung Zar Peters I. nach einer Reichsstandschaft für Livland. Historische Zeitschrift, 314(1), 1-31.
Stuber, Regina
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Leibniz’ Konzeption von 1713 zu einer Befriedung Europas im Kontext des Großen Nordischen Krieges, in: Beiderbeck, Friedrich / Gädeke, Nora / Waldhoff, Stephan (Hrsg.): Scintillae Leibnitianae. Wenchao Li zum 65. Geburtstag, Stuttgart, S. 337- 356
Stuber, Regina
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“Examples of indirect diplomacy in the estate of Johann Christoph von Urbich (1653-1715)”, gehalten im Rahmen des “Congreso Internacional. Diplomacia indirecta: contactos entre imperios más allá de la corte” in Madrid vom 14.-16. November 2022, (Instituto de Historia – CSIC, Madrid), Miguel Ángel de Bunes Ibarra (Instituto de Historia – CSIC, Madrid), Manuel Rivero Rodríguez (Instituto Uniersitario “la Corte en Europa” – UAM, Madrid)
Rubén González Cuerva
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Early Modern European Diplomacy. De Gruyter.
Goetze, Dorothée & Oetzel, Lena (Eds.)
