Post by Bonobo on Jun 26, 2022 13:40:16 GMT 1
www.onet.pl/informacje/historiaorg/najbardziej-udana-szarza-polskiej-dyplomacji-w-dziejach/nbbnt87,30bc1058
The most successful charge of Polish diplomacy in history
Paweł Działyński's legation on behalf of Zygmunt III Vasa to Queen Elizabeth I of England was one of the best displays in the history of Polish diplomacy. Działyński's sharp speech did not appeal to London, but in the end Elizabeth I bowed down and met all Polish demands. Thus, the English queen defeated the Great Armada, but succumbed to Polish diplomacy.
Wojtek Duch
June 18, 2022, 2:21 pm
Anglo-Spanish War
The size of the Spanish empire, created as a result of great geographical discoveries, made it impossible to control and secure all trade routes. England took advantage of this, hiring privateers to raid Spanish galleons carrying gold and spices in their holds. The problem of privateers irritated Philip II, who, in order to solve it, decided to hit his opponent to the very heart. He began preparations for the invasion of England. He rightly believed that by conquering London, he would secure the situation in the Atlantic Ocean. The second case of bela for Spain was also the English commitment to help the Netherlands, who fought for liberation from Spanish rule.
Gdańsk trade
Gdańsk, 1575Gdańsk, 1575 - Domena publiczna / Polish historical portal - historia.org.pl
From the mid-15th century to the first two decades of the 16th century, the largest volume of grain was exported from the port of Gdańsk among all Baltic ports. In this period, trade in grain accounted for approx. 65-85 percent. the value of all Polish exports from this port. As grain came to Gdańsk from noble farms, this social class grew rich in maritime trade. Gdańsk also made huge profits, as even 40 percent. the value of exported goods was warehousing costs, brokerage fees and port charges.
The Commonwealth did not take part in the Anglo-Spanish War (1587-1604), but Elizabeth I, through privateers, attacked and intercepted not only Spanish ships, but also neutral units that were carrying goods to Spain. Ships with goods from Gdańsk and other Polish ports, especially from Elbląg, also fell victim to these attacks.
Zygmunt III Waza, in order to protest against the actions of England, which harmed the economic interests of the Commonwealth, sent a mission to London, headed by Paweł Działyński. Representatives of Gdańsk and Elbląg asked for such a reaction. Before the envoy reached England, he stopped in the Netherlands. There, he warned that the accession of the Republic of the United Provinces (a republic founded by the seven Protestant provinces of the Northern Netherlands, which in 1581 dethroned the King of Spain) to privateers on ships from Gdańsk would stop grain deliveries to the Netherlands. This sanction would be particularly severe for the Dutch, as 25 percent. the grain they used came from Poland.
Then Działyński sailed to London. In August 1597, along with the accompanying delegation, he was received in audience by Queen Elizabeth I. During it, the Polish envoy gave a lecture on natural law, from which he derived the freedom of the seas, which England violated by allowing privateers on ships from Poland. The Queen was also presented with a list of losses incurred by merchants from Gdańsk and Elbląg.
Gdańsk trade, a painting by Wojciech GersonGdańsk trade, a painting by Wojciech Gerson - Domena publiczna / Polish historical portal - historia.org.pl
In the second part, he informed Elżbieta much less diplomatically that failure to stop these practices would result in retaliation on the part of the Republic of Poland. Działyński told the monarch that Sigismund III Vasa "will not neglect to stand up for the harm of his subjects and repay equal for equal" and "will take steps by which he will find compensation". He also suggested close ties between the Republic of Poland and Spain and Austria. They were, after all, three Catholic countries as opposed to Protestant England and the United Provinces. Elizabeth could even perceive it as a threat of Poland joining the war on the side of Spain. Elizabeth I could not ignore this option. Such an alliance would also destroy the Dutch independence chances. In addition, the announced symmetrical response of Sigismund III Vasa to the English trade restrictions was no less important. This would strike at the Eastern Company, an association of English merchants with exclusive trade rights between England and the Baltic countries.
Elizabeth I's reaction
The English monarch reacted nervously to Działyński's words and began to insult Zygmunt III Waza. In London itself, it also caused an unfavorable atmosphere for Poland. Rumors spread that Działyński insulted the majesty of the queen. Therefore, the Polish deputy decided to leave England and return to the Commonwealth. Before he did so, he received a letter from Elizabeth I, who not only refuted Polish accusations, which made the Republic of Poland in the role of ungrateful, and the Polish king as being misled as to the alleged restrictions on trade. The correspondence also contained criticism of the Polish system.
Success of Polish diplomacy
However, the matter did not end there. Despite the harsh tone of this answer, Elizabeth I confirmed the privileges for merchants from Gdańsk at the beginning of 1598. Moreover, in the summer of the same year, she sent to Poland her trusted advisor in the person of the Lord of the Secret Seal, Robert Cecil. The same MP also stated that England would not interfere with the transport of grain from Poland to Spain. Thus, the most important of Polish demands was fully met by Elżbieta I. The mission of Paweł Działyński, despite its turbulent nature, should be considered one of the best charges of Polish diplomacy in its history. It also shows that at the end of the 16th century, the Republic of Poland was a major player in European politics.
English queen
Polish king
The most successful charge of Polish diplomacy in history
Paweł Działyński's legation on behalf of Zygmunt III Vasa to Queen Elizabeth I of England was one of the best displays in the history of Polish diplomacy. Działyński's sharp speech did not appeal to London, but in the end Elizabeth I bowed down and met all Polish demands. Thus, the English queen defeated the Great Armada, but succumbed to Polish diplomacy.
Wojtek Duch
June 18, 2022, 2:21 pm
Anglo-Spanish War
The size of the Spanish empire, created as a result of great geographical discoveries, made it impossible to control and secure all trade routes. England took advantage of this, hiring privateers to raid Spanish galleons carrying gold and spices in their holds. The problem of privateers irritated Philip II, who, in order to solve it, decided to hit his opponent to the very heart. He began preparations for the invasion of England. He rightly believed that by conquering London, he would secure the situation in the Atlantic Ocean. The second case of bela for Spain was also the English commitment to help the Netherlands, who fought for liberation from Spanish rule.
Gdańsk trade
Gdańsk, 1575Gdańsk, 1575 - Domena publiczna / Polish historical portal - historia.org.pl
From the mid-15th century to the first two decades of the 16th century, the largest volume of grain was exported from the port of Gdańsk among all Baltic ports. In this period, trade in grain accounted for approx. 65-85 percent. the value of all Polish exports from this port. As grain came to Gdańsk from noble farms, this social class grew rich in maritime trade. Gdańsk also made huge profits, as even 40 percent. the value of exported goods was warehousing costs, brokerage fees and port charges.
The Commonwealth did not take part in the Anglo-Spanish War (1587-1604), but Elizabeth I, through privateers, attacked and intercepted not only Spanish ships, but also neutral units that were carrying goods to Spain. Ships with goods from Gdańsk and other Polish ports, especially from Elbląg, also fell victim to these attacks.
Zygmunt III Waza, in order to protest against the actions of England, which harmed the economic interests of the Commonwealth, sent a mission to London, headed by Paweł Działyński. Representatives of Gdańsk and Elbląg asked for such a reaction. Before the envoy reached England, he stopped in the Netherlands. There, he warned that the accession of the Republic of the United Provinces (a republic founded by the seven Protestant provinces of the Northern Netherlands, which in 1581 dethroned the King of Spain) to privateers on ships from Gdańsk would stop grain deliveries to the Netherlands. This sanction would be particularly severe for the Dutch, as 25 percent. the grain they used came from Poland.
Then Działyński sailed to London. In August 1597, along with the accompanying delegation, he was received in audience by Queen Elizabeth I. During it, the Polish envoy gave a lecture on natural law, from which he derived the freedom of the seas, which England violated by allowing privateers on ships from Poland. The Queen was also presented with a list of losses incurred by merchants from Gdańsk and Elbląg.
Gdańsk trade, a painting by Wojciech GersonGdańsk trade, a painting by Wojciech Gerson - Domena publiczna / Polish historical portal - historia.org.pl
In the second part, he informed Elżbieta much less diplomatically that failure to stop these practices would result in retaliation on the part of the Republic of Poland. Działyński told the monarch that Sigismund III Vasa "will not neglect to stand up for the harm of his subjects and repay equal for equal" and "will take steps by which he will find compensation". He also suggested close ties between the Republic of Poland and Spain and Austria. They were, after all, three Catholic countries as opposed to Protestant England and the United Provinces. Elizabeth could even perceive it as a threat of Poland joining the war on the side of Spain. Elizabeth I could not ignore this option. Such an alliance would also destroy the Dutch independence chances. In addition, the announced symmetrical response of Sigismund III Vasa to the English trade restrictions was no less important. This would strike at the Eastern Company, an association of English merchants with exclusive trade rights between England and the Baltic countries.
Elizabeth I's reaction
The English monarch reacted nervously to Działyński's words and began to insult Zygmunt III Waza. In London itself, it also caused an unfavorable atmosphere for Poland. Rumors spread that Działyński insulted the majesty of the queen. Therefore, the Polish deputy decided to leave England and return to the Commonwealth. Before he did so, he received a letter from Elizabeth I, who not only refuted Polish accusations, which made the Republic of Poland in the role of ungrateful, and the Polish king as being misled as to the alleged restrictions on trade. The correspondence also contained criticism of the Polish system.
Success of Polish diplomacy
However, the matter did not end there. Despite the harsh tone of this answer, Elizabeth I confirmed the privileges for merchants from Gdańsk at the beginning of 1598. Moreover, in the summer of the same year, she sent to Poland her trusted advisor in the person of the Lord of the Secret Seal, Robert Cecil. The same MP also stated that England would not interfere with the transport of grain from Poland to Spain. Thus, the most important of Polish demands was fully met by Elżbieta I. The mission of Paweł Działyński, despite its turbulent nature, should be considered one of the best charges of Polish diplomacy in its history. It also shows that at the end of the 16th century, the Republic of Poland was a major player in European politics.
English queen
Polish king