Sofia Degli ESPOSTI
Abstract. This article is about English foreign policy during the French Wars of Religion and on the interplay between religion and diplomacy in the early years of Elizabeth I’s reign. The study focuses on Sir Nicholas Throckmorton’s embassy to France from 1559 to 1564, a period marked by the growing influence of confessional elements in political affairs. Through an examination of Throckmorton’s diplomatic dispatches and the broader historiographical context, this project explores how English foreign policy was shaped by religious concerns, political reasoning, and the evolving role of diplomacy in international relations. By placing Throckmorton’s mission within the framework of new diplomatic history, the study seeks to uncover the social, cultural, and religious factors that influenced English diplomacy and to shed light on the complex relationship between political identity, religious affiliation, and diplomatic practice during a key period in Elizabeth I’s reign.
Keywords: French Wars of Religion, Elizabeth I, English foreign policy, early modern diplomacy, confessional struggles