ABSTRACT

A close relative and counsellor of five emperors and two kings of Spain, Maria of Austria (1528–1603) symbolised the personal union of the House of Austria during the second half of the sixteenth century. She acted as regent of Spain, consort queen of Bohemia, empress, and as dowager empress continued her political activities while ostensibly secluded in a convent. Mainly through non-institutional channels, Maria was the spinal column of the dynasty. Her active role shows the real nature of Renaissance diplomacy and international relations which was much more based on personal and informal contacts than on formal embassies. The successive Spanish and Imperial ambassadors she dealt with were considered her de facto personal servants. Reconstructing diplomacy as a family business carried out through informal agents and networks prompts new questions on political goals and programmes as well as on decision-making and soft-power strategies.

摘要

作为西班牙五位皇帝和两位国王的近亲和顾问，奥地利的玛丽亚（1528-1603 年）象征着 16 世纪下半叶奥地利家族的个人联合。她曾担任西班牙摄政王、波西米亚王后、皇后，并作为太后继续她的政治活动，同时表面上隐居在修道院中。主要是通过非制度渠道，玛丽亚是王朝的脊梁。她的积极作用显示了文艺复兴时期外交和国际关系的真实本质，它更多地基于个人和非正式接触，而不是正式的大使馆。与她打交道的历任西班牙和帝国大使都被视为她事实上的私人仆人。