La plume à la main et la rapière au fourreau : essai d'analyse des relations diplomatiques de la Principauté de Liège. La politique extérieure de François-Charles de Velbrück Prince-évêque de Liège (1772-1784)

Samenvatting

Sovereignty in the Holy Roman Empire raises a number of questions for historians. Liège occupied a special place in this complex political and institutional context. The episcopate of François-Charles de Velbrück, between two ruptures - the reign of Charles-Nicolas d'Oultremont and the Revolution - offers an interesting entry point into this field of research through its links with Versailles and its obligations to the Empire. Similarly, trade, a major component of Liège's economy, allows us to see, within the limits of the available sources, the links maintained with the British and Dutch powers, as well as the influence of these powers in the exercise of sovereign power. The State of Liège, which was neutral and had a weak military force, remained surrounded by tutelary powers. Thus, in the context of the reversal of alliances, the place accorded to Velbrück and occupied by his state in diplomacy at the end of the Ancien Régime may shed some light on the notion of sovereignty and how it was perceived by the more powerful neighbouring countries. From controlled sovereignty to ignored sovereignty to scorned sovereignty, it seems that Velbrück's sovereignty was limited as much by its own institutions as by its foreign protectors.

Datum prijs	2 jul 2021
Originele taal	French
Prijsuitreikende instantie	University of Liege
Begeleider	Philippe Raxhon (Jury), Bruno Demoulin (Promotor) & Daniel Jozic (Jury)