Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines the information networks of the Spanish viceroy of Naples, whose rule was seriously threatened during the Neapolitan Revolt led by fisherman Masaniello in 1647. It gives insight into how such intelligence traveled between secret political channels and the public sphere. The book investigates how in the decades that followed, the communicative networks across the English Channel became ever more intricate as ambassadors looked for new ways to prevent revolts. It showcases how contemporary authorities increasingly considered espionage in foreign countries vital to quelling unrest at home. The book reveals that early modern diplomacy relied on multiple information channels, from officially appointed residents abroad to newspaper clippings and private correspondence. It explores the first exchange of resident ambassadors between Sweden and Denmark in the 1620s.