Außenpolitisches Handeln im ausgehenden Mittelalter

On account of the lack of regular nation-states in Middle Ages it is impossible to superpose modern principles of foreign policy for this time. But the absence of contemporary conceptions of foreign policy does not implicate, that such a thing didnt exist in mediaeval times. To broaden and deepen our understanding of late mediaeval diplomacy, these lectures (first presented at an international conference) provide new insights into the foreign policy of Emperor Frederic III. And his son and successor Maximilian I. in the transition from Middle Ages to early modern times. The different contributions focus an Acting and Presenting: on methods of action and forms of communication used in the mediaeval structure of foreign affairs, which itself was subject of constant changes due to the friction between domestic and foreign policy. The highly organized meetings of sovereigns, debates at imperial dietes, lengthy marriage-negotiations or negotiations of complex treaties, efforts of municipal representation, privileges granted by sovereigns, institutionalized meetings and diplomatic contacs show (as well as contemporary historiography, travel-documents or receipts concerning the dietes) the reciprocal connection of domestic and foreign policy. The instruments, the forms and the process of political communication, of which the emissary is a crucial part, constitute the main part of this volume. Questions are raised concerning the development and regularity of diplomatic contacts, the professionalization of diplomacy, the rationalization of organisation, the appearance, treatment and techniques of emissaries. Due to the increasing number of professional secular diplomats in the outgoing Middle Age it is imperative to investigate the personal interests of these diplomats, who were sometimes influenced by there own endeavours. One also should question their general importance in foreign policy. Furthermore topics like the size and equipment of delegations, the authentification, publication or the suppression of results from negotiations and the bearing and tactics of the emissaries themeselves, are delt with in this volume. It is important to notice that it is still impossible to provide exact standards of "foreign policy". The authors demonstrate that the forces and definitions of foreign and domestic policy are subjugated to constant change and strict lines cannot be drawn. The different lectures collected in this tome incorporate a wide range of topics and present new points of view, but they also raise traditional questions concerning the organisation and relation of power, representation, communication and diplomacy. This book is therefore an important step toward an improved understanding of foreign policy on the verge of Middle Ages to Early Modern Times.