PSI 201

DIPLOMATIC HISTORY I
THE FIRST DIPLOMATIC RULES

ETERNAL LAW: governed the entire universe

NATURAL LAW: enable those possessing reason to understand and conform
to eternal law
DIVINE LAW: the ultimate will of God
HUMAN LAW: detailed variable rules based on the needs

* From the Short Treatise about Ambassadors by Bernard du Rosier (1436)  the
first textbook of diplomatic practice written in Western Europe

 Having accepted a mission, an ambassador should prepare to start promptly.

 All over Europe the delays of ambassadors in starting on their missions were the
cause of frequent complaint  financial problems over expenses.

 Ambassadors paid per diem. (horses+horse furniture+servants+bedding+food) by

day

 Documents necessary for their mission, credentials, instructions, powers. All

envoys should have their instructions orally explained to them.

 The ambassador should travel with reasonable speed, but without undignified
haste (weeks, even months)

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 Custom required the ambassador, as soon as he presented his credentials, to say
why he had come.

 Two sets of instructions 1) to exhibit 2) to guard

 It had to be in Latin.

 Be clear/don’t let it all out at once

 First listen to the opposite view, if

there is/listen carefully

 Look for possible argument/always

be polite

 Don’t lose temper

 The ambassador should never leave without saying goodbye; even if the mission
was unsuccessful.

 On his way home: the ambassador should have a detailed account of events: a
report

 If there is an agreement: a draft. Ratification came later.

 An ambassador could not be brought into court for any committed or debt
contracted before the beginning of his embassy.

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 But his conduct while an ambassador might expose him to the full penalties of the
law in the land.

 From punishment for crimes of fraud, violence committed while ambassador there
was no immunity.

DUTIES AND LOYALTIES OF AN AMBASSADOR

1. To pay honor to religion (POPE) and the imperial crown (KING)

2. To protect the rights of kingdoms

3. To offer obedience

4. To confirm friendship

5. To make peace

6. To arrange past disputes

7. To remove the cause for future unpleasantness

8. To reprove tyrants and bring rebels back to their audience

9. Different responsibilities for the embassies of negotiations and embassies of

ceremonies

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