Diplomatic glove covers military fist – but neither have finances

In the chessboard of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century European diplomacy, Spain was the country that counted in both strength and power. Arguably, it was served by the highest calibre of diplomats. Within Europe, efficient diplomatic services had developed and evolved over the fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. The diplomatic service of Spain since as early as the various alliances and conflicts leading up to the 1495 Treaty of Venice had developed well ahead of the other countries. ¹