Imitation Games. Some Notes on the Envoys Sent by Borso d’Este to Uthman, Ruler of Tunis

In April 1464 Borso d’Este, Lord of Ferrara, sent two of his servants to Tunis in order to purchase prized horses, giving precise instructions for offering his regards and presenting his gifts to the ruler of Tunis. The letter that the Marquis entrusts to his two servants is a mine of information, because Borso leaves nothing to chance. His instructions cover every aspect of the ambassadorial visit: when to show the gifts, how and in what order to show them, the speech to be given. Many of the instructions given to ambassadors by their governments are yet to be investigated: how much room for manoeuvre did they leave in achieving the objectives of the mission, for example? In the case of the Marquis of Ferrara, Borso intends to exhibit his kingship through the staging of the presentation of his gifts, and through the posture, the gestures and the words of his representatives. The analysis of his letter can offer an interpretative guide for examining the appearances and public celebrations organized by Borso during his rule, which took place in an age of great experimentation