Your high and mighty lordships' most humble servants: Dutch consuls and the states general's diplomacy in Spain, 1648-1661

Abstract

This article investigates the position of the Dutch consuls in the diplomatic network of the Dutch Republic as defenders of the interests of Dutch merchants and as quasi-public officials. Although consuls did not enjoy diplomatic status, Dutch consular practice in Spain between the Peace of Munster (1648) and 1661 shows that they were more than suppliers of economic, political, and military intelligence. Consuls were a vital connecting element in Dutch diplomacy and could affect the States General’s policy by exerting influence on politicians at home and on Dutch diplomats abroad. Provisional research on Dutch consuls in more European countries indicates that the Spanish case was no exception.