Symbolic Communication in Habsburg-Ottoman Diplomatic Relations. The Grand Embassy of Johann Rudolf Schmid zum Schwarzenhorn (1650–51)

In seventeenth-century Habsburg-Ottoman diplomatic relations, grand embassies played a crucial role in preserving the peace between the two empires. In the last decade, they have gained some popularity as a subject of historical research. The grand embassy of Johann Rudolf Schmid zum Schwarzenhorn (1650–51), however, has thus far received only little attention. This paper aims to analyse symbolic communication between Habsburgs and Ottomans during Schmid’s mission by examining its three main events: the border exchange ceremony, the entry into Constantinople, and the audience with the sultan