On the Fringes, but Not: Protestant Perceptions of Muscovy in the Thirty Years’ War Era…the English View

• In Event: Exploring Images and Perceptions of Rulers and Religious Ideals in Muscovy

Abstract

The first half of the seventeenth century saw all of Europe impacted in one way or another by the Thirty Years War. While on the periphery, geographically and confessionally, Russia was not absent from the hopes and schemes of Protestant interests in this conflict. Focussing on the 1620s-30s, this paper will explore, preliminarily, Protestant perceptions — primarily English — of Russia’s potential role in advancing the anti-Catholic agenda, both militarily and ideologically. In examining the issue, the paper will discuss English diplomatic activity, especially in the Porte, and (space permitting) an English merchant proposal, with evident Baltic connections, envisaging Muscovy in Protestant utopian terms.

Author

• Maria Salomon Arel, Marianopolis College (Canada)