CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2018
| Author | Sikora, Ewelina |
|---|---|
| Title | Diplomatic Intermediaries During Rakoczi's War of Independence |
| Summary | This thesis, informed by new diplomatic history, aims to capture the role and character of diplomatic intermediaries by examining the activity of Castelanness of Kraków Elżbieta Sieniawska (1669–1729) and the English envoy extraordinary to Vienna, George Stepney (1663–1707) during Rákóczi’s War of Independence, 1703–1711. Recognition as an independent ruler was the central issue for Ferenc II Rákóczi (1676–1735) who led the struggle against the Habsburg authority over Hungary and Transylvania. The contested matter of legitimacy influenced the range and modes of Rákóczi’s possible diplomatic engagements and meant for him the necessity to rely primarily on informal channels of political exchange. For that reason, diplomatic intermediaries played an especially vital role as they allowed for leaving the issue of his title in the dark, avoiding the thickets of ceremonial protocol, and declaring binding decisions. As the analysis of the involvement of Sieniawska and Stepney in the War of 1703–1711 shows, diplomatic intermediaries―depending on their social standing and connections―facilitated various political exchanges which allowed Rákóczi to participate in political process. |
| Supervisor | Jan Hennings |
| Department | History MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2018/sikora_ewelina.pdf |
Visit the CEU Library.
© 2007-2025, Central European University