Registration for the Premodern Queenship and Diplomacy in Europe, taking place at Canterbury Christ Church University, 11-13 September is now open. This conference organised by Canterbury Christ Church University and Lancaster University seeks to raise important questions about the role that premodern queens played in diplomatic relations throughout Europe. Traditionally, female involvement in diplomacy has focused upon the role of queens consort as pawns within marriage alliances and military treaties, or the foreign policy agenda of queens regnant. However, queens in the medieval and early modern period were central to developing international relations; promoting certain policies and people; and balancing the intricacies of European politics. These women could act not only independently of male influence, but also on behalf of their own personal dynastic interests, placing them sometimes at odds with their marital allegiance. This conference builds upon recent interest in diplomacy and elite women’s involvement in policy-making and politics to show that diplomacy was not a male-dominated area controlled by the monarch alone.

This conference is sponsored by Women’s History Network, the Society for Renaissance Studies and the Society for Court Studies. For the programme and details of registration please see: www.premodernqueenship.com