5 Managing the news during Prince Charles’s trip to Madrid, 1623
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David Coast
Abstract
This narrative case study examines ways in which diplomatic information was suppressed and manipulated during Prince Charles’ and the Duke of Buckingham’s trip to Madrid in 1623. Historians have tended to focus on the course of the negotiations in Spain, but this chapter shifts attention to James and the battle over perceptions of the match at home. It considers James I’s extraordinary efforts to keep details of the negotiations secret from his own councillors, and his reasons for doing so, as well as the opportunities this near-monopoly over information created to present a misleadingly impression of events in Madrid. The sceptical and often cynical reaction of many of James' subjects to his behaviour show how his secretive and sometimes manipulative behaviour could backfire in ways which could potentially undermine royal authority.
Abstract
This narrative case study examines ways in which diplomatic information was suppressed and manipulated during Prince Charles’ and the Duke of Buckingham’s trip to Madrid in 1623. Historians have tended to focus on the course of the negotiations in Spain, but this chapter shifts attention to James and the battle over perceptions of the match at home. It considers James I’s extraordinary efforts to keep details of the negotiations secret from his own councillors, and his reasons for doing so, as well as the opportunities this near-monopoly over information created to present a misleadingly impression of events in Madrid. The sceptical and often cynical reaction of many of James' subjects to his behaviour show how his secretive and sometimes manipulative behaviour could backfire in ways which could potentially undermine royal authority.
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
