Abstract

During the reign of Charles II, the European diplomats in Madrid had different problems of adaptation with the royal rules. This paper focuses on English legates. The incidents with the Spanish authorities revolved around the limits of their immunity, the neighbourhood, their coaches and their own privileged position. It also analyses the abuses of their prerogatives, case of franchises, and the religious uses of Protestant ministers in the Catholic court. Despite the fact that the relation was not easy, the aspects considered allow understanding the reality of an embassy, beyond its political mission.