The ambassadors of Henry VIII : the personnel of English diplomacy, c.1500-c.1550

The aim of this thesis is to analyze the nature and function of the English diplomatic service in the early 16th century. The first chapter will explore the gradual adoption by the Henry Viii'sgovernment of resident diplomacy and the impact its use had on those employed as permanent ambassadors. The three central chapters will look at the three main groups from which Henrydrew his ambassadors: the clergy, the titled aristocracy and gently, and merchants. Each section will examine the background, education and training, and specific skills which each group contributed to the king's diplomacy. The final chapter will evaluate the pros and cons of diplomatic service and consider what part it played in the overall development of the careers of those chosen to perform it. In order to place the Tudor diplomatic service in context, periodic comparisons will be made with its Habsburg and Valois rivals.:1.