CURTIUS, WILLIAM [SSNE 1435]
Text source
William Curtius, a German, was employed by King Charles I on a mission to King Gustav II Adolf of Sweden while the Swedes were campaigning in Germany. This must have occurred before the Swedish king's death in November 1632. In that month, however, Curtius met Chancellor Axel Oxenstierna and expressed his dismay at the king's death and presented his credentials to the Chancellor instead. Curtius appears to have remained in Germany as an agent for some time, replacing Sir Henry Vane. A William Curtius was sent as ambassador to Frankfurt am Main between 1649-1654 and 1664-1677, and this is probably the same man.
The National Archives (ex-Public Records Office), London, SP/81/56-73, SP/104/56 &170; Rikskansleren Axel Oxenstiernas skrifter och brefvexling, first series, VII, pp.655, 656; L. Bittner and L. Gross, Reportorium der diplomatischen vertreter aller lander, vol. 1, 1648-1715 (Oldenburg and Berlin, 1936), p.184; L. Bittner and L. Gross, Reportorium der diplomatischen vertreter aller lander, vol. 1, 1648-1715 (Oldenburg and Berlin, 1936), p.194; G. M. Bell, A Handlist of British Diplomatic Representatives 1509-1688 (London, 1990). See also British Library, Eg.2541, Instructions, ff.193v-194v : Copy : « Instrcutions for Our trusty & welbeloved Servant Wm Curtius sent as Our Agent to Our good Brother and friend ye King of Sweade. 1632 » : (f.194) Charles I explains Henry Vane is recalled « for our neerer sevrice » and adds : « though you by birth are a stranger yet having continued some yeares in Our dominions & been imployed under him [Vane] in all his negotiation & well approved your faithfulnes & ability. ». The information from the British Library was kindly provided by Loic Bienassis.
Service record
- STUART KINGDOMS, GERMANY [SWEDEN]
- Arrived 1632-10-02
- Departed 1633-12-12
- Capacity AGENT, purpose DIPLOMACY
- STUART KINGDOMS, LUNEBURG [IMPERIAL DIET]
- Arrived 1636-01-01
- Departed 1636-01-31
- Capacity AGENT, purpose DIPLOMACY
- STUART KINGDOMS, FRANKFURT [IMPERIAL DIET]
- Arrived 1642-01-01
- Departed 1642-12-31
- Capacity AGENT, purpose DIPLOMACY
- STUART KINGDOMS, NURNBERG [IMPERIAL DIET]
- Arrived 1649-01-01
- Departed 1649-12-31
- Capacity AGENT, purpose DIPLOMACY
- STUART KINGDOMS, FRANKFURT AM MAIN
- Arrived 1649-03-27
- Departed 1654-12-29
- Capacity RESIDENT MINISTER, purpose DIPLOMACY
- Arrived 1664-08-05
- Departed 1677-09-01
- Capacity AMBASSADOR, purpose DIPLOMACY
- STUART KINGDOMS, HEIDELBERG
- Arrived 1666-02-01
- Capacity ENVOY, purpose DIPLOMACY