Cynthia FryCynthia Fry

BA (CU Boulder), MLitt (St Andrews)

Contact Details
Email: cf363@st-andrews.ac.uk

Research Interests
My research interests lie in early modern European diplomacy and politics, with a focus on sixteenth and seventeenth century British diplomacy. I also have an interest in early modern European intelligence networks and the history of espionage.

Thesis Title: Diplomacy and Deception: James VI’s Foreign Relations (1584-1604)
Supervisor: Professor Steve Murdoch

This thesis focuses on the foreign relations of King James VI during his personal rule in Scotland (1584-1604), and examines the numerous relationships he created and maintained with both Catholic and Protestant kingdoms during this period. Whilst much is known of James VI & I’s post-1603 diplomacy, there is as yet no systematic survey of his foreign relations during his kingship in Scotland. The absence of such a survey has led some historians to make many assumptions devoid of evidence regarding James’s role in the diplomatic activities of early modern Europe. The thesis provides the evidence that is required in order to validate current assumptions and, where these are inaccurate, to revise them based on extant documents. This work will highlight the close relations that James VI maintained with Catholic powers, such as Spain and the Papacy, whilst at the same time using a Scottish perspective to re-examine better-known relationships, such as that of Scotland and England. This approach is intended to recover the motives and contexts that influenced James's decisions in a manner that has already been successfully applied to Elizabeth I’s diplomatic activities. By examining the world of early modern European diplomacy through a Scottish perspective, this thesis not only brings to light the rich and influential place that James VI held whilst king of Scotland, but also reintegrates Scotland into traditional European diplomatic historiography, creating a more cohesive account of events. This information will not only affect our interpretations of late sixteenth century diplomacy, but also the foreign policies pursued by James VI&I as king of Great Britain.

Publications:

  • “Henry, King of Scots: An Analysis of Royal Authority and Diplomatic Influence – Evidence from the National Archives of Denmark.” Northern Studies vol.43 (2012): pp. 51-71.
  • “Perceptions of Influence: The Catholic Diplomacy of Queen Anna and her Ladies, 1601-1604.” In The Politics of Female Households: Ladies-in-Waiting Across Early Modern Europe, edited by Nadine Akkerman and Birgit Houben. (Leiden: Forthcoming, c. 2014).

Reviews:

  • Review of Thomas McCoog, The Society of Jesus in Ireland, Scotland and England, 1589-1597: Building the Faith of Saint Peter upon the King of Spain’s Monarchy (Farnham, 2012) in Scottish Historical Review vol.91, no.1 (April 2013).
  • Review of Janet Dickinson, Court Politics and the Earl of Essex, 1589-1601 (London, 2012) in Northern Studies vol.44 (2013).

Principal Academic Papers:

  • An ‘ivel-seasoned journey’? - The diplomatic implications of James VI’s voyage to Denmark-Norway, 1589-1590’. Institute for Scottish Historical Research Seminar Series (University of St Andrews, 18 April 2013).
  • '"The chief and principal stay"?: Scoto-Spanish Relations in the wake of the Gran Armada, c. 1588-1594'. IHR Tudor & Stuart Seminar Series (London, 18 February 2013).
  • ‘Diplomacy and Deception: James VI’s Foreign Relations, 1584-1604’. Centre for History Seminar Series (University of Highlands and Islands, 19 September 2012).
  • ‘The Perfect Candidate: James VI’s campaign for Foreign Support in the Question of the English Succession, 1584-1603’. Reading Conference in Early Modern Studies (University of Reading, 12-14 July 2012).
  • “How can you ask me to live at war in order that you might live in peace?”: Europe’s Interests in James VI & I and the Ending of the Anglo-Spanish War (1604)’ HistFest (University of Lancaster, 18-20 May 2012).
  •  ‘Pawn or Partner?: Anna of Denmark and her Role in Jacobean Diplomacy (1589-1604)’. Kings and Queens: Politics, Power, Patronage and Personalities in Medieval and Early Modern Monarchy (Bath-Spa University, 19-20 April 2012).
  • ‘Missing from the Stage: Illuminating Scotland’s role in Early Modern European Diplomacy’, Historical Perspectives Seminar Series. (University of Glasgow, 14 March 2012).
  • ‘Diplomacy in Conflict: the Case of Antonio Foscarini, Venetian Ambassador to the Stuart Court, 1613-1617’. Conflict in History Symposium (University of Edinburgh, 24 May 2011).
  • ‘The Middle Man? James VI’s role in the Conflicting Succession Plans of the Duke of Guise and Philip II, 1584-1587’. St Andrews and Aberdeen Postgraduate Conference (University of St Andrews, 21 May 2011).

Teaching Experience:

  • Tutor, Early Modern Europe 1400-1700 (MO1007). University of St Andrews (Autumn 2011).
  • Tutor, Early Modern Europe 1450-1780 (HY21001). University of Dundee (Autumn 2011).

Administrative Experience:

Other: