The Earl and His Butler in Constantinople The Secret Diary of an English Servant Among the Ottomans

George Hay, 8th Earl of Kinnoull, was an unconventional ambassador. A Scottish aristocrat who had been imprisoned for his Jacobite sympathies and almost bankrupted by his involvement in the South Sea Bubble, Lord Kinnoull had no previous diplomatic...
9781845117825
829372
The Earl and His Butler in Constantinople
The Earl and His Butler in Constantinople The Secret Diary of an English Servant Among the Ottomans
442.00

George Hay, 8th Earl of Kinnoull, was an unconventional ambassador. A Scottish aristocrat who had been imprisoned for his Jacobite sympathies and almost bankrupted by his involvement in the South Sea Bubble, Lord Kinnoull had no previous diplomatic experience when he was unexpectedly appointed ambassador to the Ottoman Empire in 1729. Leaving his wife and family of ten at their Yorkshire home, Lord Kinnoull departed England for Constantinople with his political, financial and personal suitability for the role all in doubt. How would he cope with the complex world of international politics? Or negotiate the sensitive relationship between Muslims and Christians? And why was he subsequently recalled to England in disgrace?

"The Earl and His Butler in Constantinople" traces Lord Kinnoull's eventful journey to the heart of the Ottoman Empire, where he served as ambassador for seven years - and back again. His butler, Samuel Medley, was his constant companion throughout this time and his is almost the only surviving servant's diary from the period.

From this unique and colourful source, as well as from Lord Kinnoull's despatches and family letters, Nigel and Caroline Webb have produced a remarkable biography which casts fresh light on the Ottoman Empire and British politics in the 18th century. It also offers vivid portraits of the cosmopolitan city of Constantinople at this critical stage in its history and of an idiosyncratic Earl and his exceptional butler which will captivate readers.

"A remarkable book (which) will be of great interest to scholars and historians and will fascinate those who love diaries"

- Claire Tomalin

"Carefully researched and engagingly written this book breathes life into the dry bones of ambassadorial history"

- Caroline Finkel

Kitabın Özellikleri
Stok Kodu:
9781845117825
Boyut:
15.50x23.50
Sayfa Sayısı:
257
Basım Tarihi:
2009
Kapak Türü:
Ciltsiz
Kağıt Türü:
1. Hamur
Dili:
İngilizce

George Hay, 8th Earl of Kinnoull, was an unconventional ambassador. A Scottish aristocrat who had been imprisoned for his Jacobite sympathies and almost bankrupted by his involvement in the South Sea Bubble, Lord Kinnoull had no previous diplomatic experience when he was unexpectedly appointed ambassador to the Ottoman Empire in 1729. Leaving his wife and family of ten at their Yorkshire home, Lord Kinnoull departed England for Constantinople with his political, financial and personal suitability for the role all in doubt. How would he cope with the complex world of international politics? Or negotiate the sensitive relationship between Muslims and Christians? And why was he subsequently recalled to England in disgrace?

"The Earl and His Butler in Constantinople" traces Lord Kinnoull's eventful journey to the heart of the Ottoman Empire, where he served as ambassador for seven years - and back again. His butler, Samuel Medley, was his constant companion throughout this time and his is almost the only surviving servant's diary from the period.

From this unique and colourful source, as well as from Lord Kinnoull's despatches and family letters, Nigel and Caroline Webb have produced a remarkable biography which casts fresh light on the Ottoman Empire and British politics in the 18th century. It also offers vivid portraits of the cosmopolitan city of Constantinople at this critical stage in its history and of an idiosyncratic Earl and his exceptional butler which will captivate readers.

"A remarkable book (which) will be of great interest to scholars and historians and will fascinate those who love diaries"

- Claire Tomalin

"Carefully researched and engagingly written this book breathes life into the dry bones of ambassadorial history"

- Caroline Finkel

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