2 Secrecy, counsel and ‘outward shows'
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David Coast
Abstract
Historians have debated the nature and effectiveness of early modern censorship, but this chapter focuses attention to government secrecy. It examines James’ attempts to conceal information, even from his own councillors, but argues against the idea of a ‘crisis of counsel’ in the early 1620s. It shifts away from the traditional focus on royal image-making and propaganda to investigate how James’ concealment of his intentions allowed him to mislead a variety of audiences through ‘outward shows’, informal speeches and gestures. It also examines the sceptical reception of these ‘performances’ and the unintended consequences they had. The chapter attempts to widen our definition of propaganda, challenging the division between a ‘private’ court and ‘public’ world outside it, and assessing what these phenomena can tell us about the strengths and weaknesses of James I’s style of rule.
Abstract
Historians have debated the nature and effectiveness of early modern censorship, but this chapter focuses attention to government secrecy. It examines James’ attempts to conceal information, even from his own councillors, but argues against the idea of a ‘crisis of counsel’ in the early 1620s. It shifts away from the traditional focus on royal image-making and propaganda to investigate how James’ concealment of his intentions allowed him to mislead a variety of audiences through ‘outward shows’, informal speeches and gestures. It also examines the sceptical reception of these ‘performances’ and the unintended consequences they had. The chapter attempts to widen our definition of propaganda, challenging the division between a ‘private’ court and ‘public’ world outside it, and assessing what these phenomena can tell us about the strengths and weaknesses of James I’s style of rule.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- Editorial conventions ix
- Abbreviations x
- Introduction 1
- 1 Controlling the flow of diplomatic information 12
- 2 Secrecy, counsel and ‘outward shows' 48
- 3 Political rumours 82
- 4 Rumour in court politics 115
- 5 Managing the news during Prince Charles’s trip to Madrid, 1623 139
- 6 The politics of rumour during Buckingham’s illness, 1624 180
- Conclusion 211
- Bibliography 219
- Index 231
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- Editorial conventions ix
- Abbreviations x
- Introduction 1
- 1 Controlling the flow of diplomatic information 12
- 2 Secrecy, counsel and ‘outward shows' 48
- 3 Political rumours 82
- 4 Rumour in court politics 115
- 5 Managing the news during Prince Charles’s trip to Madrid, 1623 139
- 6 The politics of rumour during Buckingham’s illness, 1624 180
- Conclusion 211
- Bibliography 219
- Index 231
