The greater part of this work was done by secretaries and undersecretaries who corresponded in Russian. The Ambassadorial Chancery also had a number of translators and interpreters. These positions were often occupied by subjects of foreign states who entered the Russian service or less often Russians released from captivity.

Moreover, although noble origin was a prerequisite for the appointment of a Russian #emdiplomat, aristocrats often lacked appropriate skills. Therefore, since the middle of the 16th century the head of mission had a deputy drawn from the staff of the Ambassadorial Chancery – an experienced secretary or undersecretary, sometimes employee of other chanceries, who was responsible for negotiation itself & paperwork. A century later ‘conciliar secretaries’ were included into the most representative missions and could even head them. (2/6)

#emdiplomacy #NewDiplomaticHistory #Russia #earlyModern #adventCalendar2024 #history

@histodons @historikerinnen @earlymodern

The extension and intensification of #Russia’s international contacts in the 17th century enhanced the status of the Ambassadorial Chancery that was also in charge of managing a number of cities, monasteries and several territorial chanceries. Since 1667 boyars (members of the highest rank of feudal nobility) rather than ‘conciliar secretaries’ were often appointed to head the missions; as an example, one should name Afanasii Ordin-Nashchokin (1605–1680), our #emdiplomat of the day! (3/6)

#emdiplomacy #NewDiplomaticHistory #earlyModern #adventCalendar #adventCalendar2024 #history #histodons #Russia

@histodons @historikerinnen @earlymodern

Afanasii Ordin-Nashchokin was the offspring of a family of the provincial gentry. But it was his father’s wish to provide him with an education in German, Latin and even mathematics. This might have been the base for his career as a civil servant and #emdiplomat. In 1642 Ordin-Nashchokin was part of the delegation that negotiated the border between #Russia and #Sweden following the #peace of #Stolbovo in 1617. Thereafter, he seemed to be engaged with domestic politics. (4/6)

#emdiplomacy #NewDiplomaticHistory #HistoricalPeaceStudies #earlyModern #history #histodons #adventCalendar #adventCalendar2024

@histodons @historikerinnen @earlymodern