DOS REINOS EN LA CORTE DE LOS HABSBURGO. SÍNDICOS Y EMBAJADORES DE VALENCIA Y CERDEÑA (SIGLO XVII)

TWO KINGDOMS AT THE HABSBURG COURT. SÍNDICOS AND AMBASSADORS OF VALENCIA AND SARDINIA (17TH CENTURY) This work approaches the communication mechanisms between Valencia and Sardinia, two of the kingdoms that were part of the Habsburg Monarchy, with their king. The representative institutions of the territories had different ways to communicate with their lord. This dialogue, which had its maximum expression in the parliamentary sphere, was continued outside these assemblies, through epistolary communication, the activity of royal and justice officials and the intermediation of agents, who, under various denominations, acted in court and made the voice of the provinces resounded in the royal palace. Among these representatives were the síndicos extraordinarios and ambassadors sent to the royal court who are the focus of this study. These delegates were placed at the highest place in the representation apparatuses of the kingdoms of Valencia and Sardinia in the king's court, which is why they were entrusted with matters of greatest political relevance for the territory. As a whole, the work delves into a communication channel that might be less known than other ones that have received greater attention, such as parliamentary politics or the role of royal officials, but which, according to what this research reveals, was very frequent and allowed to the communities of vassals to convey their complaints and pleas to the king's ears. With this, the institutions hoped that the sovereign would decide to accept their requests. To achieve this objective, the activity of ambassadors and agents in audiences with kings, valid and other ministers was essential not only so that the monarch was properly informed of the feelings of his vassals, but also so that the various characters who participated in decision-making were persuaded that those things requested by the kingdom were also those most interesting to the crown.