With the expansion of long-distance trade, beneficial commercial relations turned into the prime subject of foreign relations in certain areas. Policies in dealing with foreigners would often develop organically in port cities with large foreign communities. On certain occasions, this would include the official exchange of #envoys with the representatives from the country of origin of merchant communities. In other geographical settings, such as in the East Asian polities described above, boundaries between foreign relations and foreign trade were blurred for centuries. (7/10)
The most important group of #ambassadors to Madrid were the French ambassador, the Imperial ambassador to the Empire, the nuncio, and the Venetian ambassador.
Madrid did not have a diplomatic district. Diplomatic #envoys did enjoy immunity in the #embassy, with the king himself offering them lodgings for rent upon their arrival. Nevertheless, the ambassadors complained of the difficulties in gaining an audience with the ruler.
Following the union of the Portuguese and Spanish crowns in 1580, a global dimension of Spanish #diplomacy was developed which enhanced the reputation of the Spanish kings. (5/n)