{{Short description|none}}
{{Short description|none}}
[[File:Persian embassy at the Quirinale.jpg|thumb|Fresco of the Persian embassy visiting [[Pope Paul V]] in Rome, painted in 1615–1616. Sala dei Corazzieri, [[Palazzo del Quirinale]], [[Rome]]]]
[[File:Persian embassy at the Quirinale.jpg|thumb|Fresco of the Persian embassy visiting [[Pope Paul V]] in Rome, painted in 1615–1616. Sala dei Corazzieri, [[Palazzo del Quirinale]], [[Rome]]]]
The ”’Persian embassy to Europe”’ (”’1609–1615”’) was dispatched by the [[Safavid Empire|Persian]] [[Shah]] [[Abbas I of Persia|Abbas I]] in 1609 to obtain an alliance with Europe against the [[Ottoman Empire]]. The embassy was led by the Englishman [[Robert Shirley]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=-YwDfm1pFF8C&pg=PA1005 Olson, p.1005]</ref>
The ”’Persian embassy to Europe”’ (”’1609–1615”’) was dispatched by the [[Safavid Empire|Persian]] [[Shah]] [[Abbas I of Persia|Abbas I]] in 1609 to obtain an alliance with Europe against the [[Ottoman Empire]]. The embassy was led by the Englishman [[Robert Shirley]].==Olsonp.
==Background==
==Background==
The [[Safavids|Safavid Persians]] had then been at war with their archrivals, the neighbouring [[Ottoman Empire]], for more than a century, and so decided to try to obtain European help against the Ottomans.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=wNxmWxyKX7IC&pg=PA2 Le Strange, p.2]</ref> Besides the territorial antagonism of the Ottoman and Persian realms, there was also strong religious antagonism, as the Persians proclaimed [[Shiism]] against the Ottoman Empire’s [[Sunnism]].<ref>Khair, p.173</ref> These Persian efforts at rapprochement with Catholic Europe ([[Spain]], the [[Habsburg monarchy|Habsburg Empire]], and [[Italy]]), attempted to counterbalance the [[Franco-Ottoman alliance]] (between [[France]] and the Ottoman Empire), and came at a time when Persia was in direct conflict against the Ottoman Empire in the [[Ottoman–Safavid War (1603–1618)]]. This embassy followed the [[Persian embassy to Europe (1599–1602)|1599–1602 Persian embassy to Europe]].
The [[Safavids|Safavid Persians]] had then been at war with their archrivals, the neighbouring [[Ottoman Empire]], for more than a century, and so decided to try to obtain European help against the Ottomans.[https://./ .] Besides the territorial antagonism of the Ottoman and Persian realms, there was also strong religious antagonism, as the Persians proclaimed [[Shiism]] against the Ottoman Empire’s [[Sunnism]].Khairp./ These Persian efforts at rapprochement with Catholic Europe ([[Spain]], the [[Habsburg monarchy|Habsburg Empire]], and [[Italy]]), attempted to counterbalance the [[Franco-Ottoman alliance]] (between [[France]] and the Ottoman Empire), and came at a time when Persia was in direct conflict against the Ottoman Empire in the [[Ottoman–Safavid War (1603–1618)]]. This embassy followed the [[Persian embassy to Europe (1599–1602)|1599–1602 Persian embassy to Europe]].
==Embassy==
==Embassy==
[[File:Abbas I as a new Caesar being honoured by the trumpets of fame and the Persian embassy in Allegorie de l Occasion by Frans II Francken 1628.jpg|thumb|[[Abbas I of Persia|Abbas I]] as a new [[Caesar (title)|Caesar]] being honoured by the Trumpets of Fame, together with the Persian embassy, in ”[[:File:Allegorie de l Occasion Frans II Francken 1628.jpg|Allégorie de l’Occasion]]”, by [[Frans II Francken]], 1628.]]
[[File:Abbas I as a new Caesar being honoured by the trumpets of fame and the Persian embassy in Allegorie de l Occasion by Frans II Francken 1628.jpg|thumb|[[Abbas I of Persia|Abbas I]] as a new [[Caesar (title)|Caesar]] being honoured by the Trumpets of Fame, together with the Persian embassy, in ”[[:File:Allegorie de l Occasion Frans II Francken 1628.jpg|Allégorie de l’Occasion]]”, by [[Frans II Francken]], 1628.]]
The embassy went to [[Kraków]], [[Prague]], [[Florence]], [[Rome]], [[Madrid]], [[London]], and returned to Persia through the [[Great Mogul]]’s [[India]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=nOPIuahJU8QC&pg=PA17 Maquerlot, p.17]</ref> Shirley was extremely well received in these countries, which were in regular conflict with the Ottoman Empire. The reception in Kraków was excellent and in Prague, where Shirley was knighted.<ref>Olson, p.1005</ref> He was also made a [[Count Palatine]] of the [[Holy Roman Empire]] by [[Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor|Rudolf II]] in 1609.<ref>Olson, p.1005</ref> He then continued to Florence, Milan and Rome, where he was received by [[Pope Paul V]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Renaissance clothing and the materials of memory|first= Ann |last=Rosalind Jones |page=55 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kHB7HRdHptQC&pg=PA55}}</ref> He then continued to Spain.
The embassy went to [[Kraków]], [[Prague]], [[Florence]], [[Rome]], [[Madrid]], [[London]], and returned to Persia through the [[Great Mogul]]’s [[India]].[https://books.google.com/books?id=nOPIuahJU8QC&pg=PA17 17] Shirley was extremely well received in these countries, which were in regular conflict with the Ottoman Empire. The reception in Kraków was excellent and in Prague, where Shirley was knighted. He was also made a [[Count Palatine]] of the [[Holy Roman Empire]] by [[Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor|Rudolf II]] in 1609. He then continued to Florence, Milan and Rome, where he was received by [[Pope Paul V]].{{||||=https://books.google.com/books?id=kHB7HRdHptQC&pg=PA55}} He then continued to Spain.
In 1611, Shirley reached England, but he was opposed by the [[Levant Company]], which had strong interests with Ottomans.<ref>Olson, p.1005</ref>
In 1611, Shirley reached England, but he was opposed by the [[Levant Company]], which had strong interests with Ottomans.
Shirley then returned to Persia by sea, through the [[Cape of Good Hope]] to land in [[India]], at the mouth of the [[Indus]], escaping from an attempt on his life by the [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]].<ref>Olson, p.1005</ref> He finally returned to [[Ispahan]] with his wife in 1615. All his traveling companions however had died on the way in a poisoning conspiracy.<ref>Olson, p.1005</ref>
Shirley then returned to Persia by sea, through the [[Cape of Good Hope]] to land in [[India]], at the mouth of the [[Indus]], escaping from an attempt on his life by the [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]]. He finally returned to [[Ispahan]] with his wife in 1615. All his traveling companions however had died on the way in a poisoning conspiracy.
==Aftermath==
==Aftermath==
[[File:Shirleys.JPG|thumb|[[Robert Shirley]] and his Circassian wife [[Teresia Sampsonia|Teresia]], c. 1624–1627. Robert Shirley modernized the Persian army, and led the 1609–1615 embassy to Europe.]]
[[File:Shirleys.JPG|thumb|[[Robert Shirley]] and his Circassian wife [[Teresia Sampsonia|Teresia]], c. 1624–1627. Robert Shirley modernized the Persian army, and led the 1609–1615 embassy to Europe.]]
In 1616, a trade agreement was reached between Shah Abbas and the [[East India Company]] and in 1622 “a joint Anglo-Persian force expelled the Portuguese and Spanish traders from the [[Persian Gulf]]” in the [[Capture of Ormuz (1622)|Capture of Ormuz]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=NK6_hIN8SOwC&pg=PA182 Badiozamani, p.182]</ref>
In 1616, a trade agreement was reached between Shah Abbas and the [[East India Company]] and in 1622 “a joint Anglo-Persian force expelled the Portuguese and Spanish traders from the [[Persian Gulf]]” in the [[Capture of Ormuz (1622)|Capture of Ormuz]].[https://./?= 182]
In 1624, Robert Shirley led another embassy to [[England]] in order to obtain trade agreements.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=nOPIuahJU8QC&pg=PA17 Maquerlot, p.17]</ref>
In 1624, Robert Shirley led another embassy to [[England]] in order to obtain trade agreements.
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==References==
==References==
* {{cite book |last1=Badiozamani |first1=Badi |last2=Badiozamani |first2=Ghazal |date=2005 |title=Iran and America – Re-kindling A Love Lost |publisher=East West Understanding Press |isbn=9780974217208 |url=https://archive.org/details/iranamericarekin0000badi/page/n2/mode/1up }}
* Guy Le Strange, Juan de Persia ”Don Juan of Persia: A Shi’ah Catholic 1560–1604” Routledge, 2004 {{ISBN|0-415-34488-3}}
* {{cite book |last1=Jones |first1=Ann Rosalind |last2=Stallybrass |first2=Peter |date=2000 |title=Renaissance clothing and the materials of memory |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |p=55 |isbn=9780521786638 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kHB7HRdHptQC}}
* Tabish Khair, Martin Leer, [[Justin D. Edwards]], Hanna Ziadeh, Amitav Ghosh ”Other routes: 1500 years of African and Asian travel writing” Indiana University Press, 2005 {{ISBN|0-253-21821-7}}
* {{cite book |last=Juan de Persia |date=2005 |orig-date=1926 (1605) |editor-last=Le Strange |editor-first=Guy |title=Don Juan of Persia: A Shi’ah Catholic 1560-1604 |others=Translated by the editor |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9780415860130 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wNxmWxyKX7IC |ref=CITEREFLe_Strange2005 }}
* Jean-Pierre Maquerlot, Michèle Willems ”Travel and drama in Shakespeare’s time” Cambridge University Press, 1996 {{ISBN|0-521-47500-7}}
* {{cite book |editor-last1=Khair |editor-first1=Tabish |editor-last2=Leer |editor-first2=Martin |editor-last3=Edwards |editor-first3=Justin D. |editor-last4=Ziadeh |editor-first4=Hanna |editor-link3=Justin D. Edwards |date=2005 |title=Other routes – 1500 Years of African and Asian Travel Writing |publisher=[[Indiana University Press]] |isbn=9780253218216 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LASiz73_xY0C }}
* Badi Badiozamani, Ghazal Badiozamani ”Iran and America: Re-Kindling a Love Lost” East West Understanding Pr., 2005 {{ISBN|0-9742172-0-4}}
* {{cite book |editor-last1=Maquerlot |editor-first1=Jean-Pierre |editor-last2=Willems |editor-first2=Michèle |date=1996 |title=Travel and drama in Shakespeare’s time |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |isbn=9780521475006 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nOPIuahJU8QC }}
* James Stuart Olson, Robert Shadle ”Historical dictionary of the British empire” Greenwood Publishing Group, 1996 {{ISBN|0-313-29367-8}}
* {{cite book |editor-last1=Olson |editor-first1=James S. |editor-last2=Shadle |editor-first2=Robert |date=1996 |chapter=Shirley, Robert |title=Historical dictionary of the British empire K-Z |publisher=[[Greenwood Publishing Group]] |isbn=9780313293672 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-YwDfm1pFF8C }}
{{Iran-United Kingdom relations}}
{{Iran-United Kingdom relations}}
The Persian embassy to Europe (1609–1615) was dispatched by the Persian Shah Abbas I in 1609 to obtain an alliance with Europe against the Ottoman Empire. The embassy was led by the Englishman Robert Shirley.[1]
The Safavid Persians had then been at war with their archrivals, the neighbouring Ottoman Empire, for more than a century, and so decided to try to obtain European help against the Ottomans. Besides the territorial antagonism of the Ottoman and Persian realms, there was also strong religious antagonism, as the Persians proclaimed Shiism against the Ottoman Empire’s Sunnism. These Persian efforts at rapprochement with Catholic Europe (Spain, the Habsburg Empire, and Italy), attempted to counterbalance the Franco-Ottoman alliance (between France and the Ottoman Empire), and came at a time when Persia was in direct conflict against the Ottoman Empire in the Ottoman–Safavid War (1603–1618). This embassy followed the 1599–1602 Persian embassy to Europe.
The embassy went to Kraków, Prague, Florence, Rome, Madrid, London, and returned to Persia through the Great Mogul‘s India.[4] Shirley was extremely well received in these countries, which were in regular conflict with the Ottoman Empire. The reception in Kraków was excellent and in Prague, where Shirley was knighted.[1] He was also made a Count Palatine of the Holy Roman Empire by Rudolf II in 1609.[1] He then continued to Florence, Milan and Rome, where he was received by Pope Paul V. He then continued to Spain.
In 1611, Shirley reached England, but he was opposed by the Levant Company, which had strong interests with Ottomans.[1]
Shirley then returned to Persia by sea, through the Cape of Good Hope to land in India, at the mouth of the Indus, escaping from an attempt on his life by the Portuguese.[1] He finally returned to Ispahan with his wife in 1615. All his traveling companions however had died on the way in a poisoning conspiracy.[1]
In 1616, a trade agreement was reached between Shah Abbas and the East India Company and in 1622 “a joint Anglo-Persian force expelled the Portuguese and Spanish traders from the Persian Gulf” in the Capture of Ormuz.
In 1624, Robert Shirley led another embassy to England in order to obtain trade agreements.[4]
- Badiozamani, Badi; Badiozamani, Ghazal (2005). Iran and America – Re-kindling A Love Lost. East West Understanding Press. ISBN 9780974217208.
- Jones, Ann Rosalind; Stallybrass, Peter (2000). Renaissance clothing and the materials of memory. Cambridge University Press. p. 55. ISBN 9780521786638.
- Juan de Persia (2005) [1926 (1605)]. Le Strange, Guy (ed.). Don Juan of Persia: A Shi’ah Catholic 1560-1604. Translated by the editor. Routledge. ISBN 9780415860130.
- Khair, Tabish; Leer, Martin; Edwards, Justin D.; Ziadeh, Hanna, eds. (2005). Other routes – 1500 Years of African and Asian Travel Writing. Indiana University Press. ISBN 9780253218216.
- Maquerlot, Jean-Pierre; Willems, Michèle, eds. (1996). Travel and drama in Shakespeare’s time. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521475006.
- Olson, James S.; Shadle, Robert, eds. (1996). “Shirley, Robert”. Historical dictionary of the British empire K-Z. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 9780313293672.
