The Conveyance of Messages at the Papal Curia

Abstract

This chapter questions the extent to which the administrative departments of the English crown adopted continental rhetorical styles in their diplomatic and administrative exchange with the papacy in order to comply with the requirements of the stilus curie, namely the rules and procedures in use at the papal curia from the mid-twelfth century, ultimately giving shape to a ‘shared language of diplomacy’. Evidence is provided by English and papal diplomatic records, recording both oral and written communications. The chapter therefore focuses on the conveyance of oral messages at the papal curia, the aurality of diplomatic documents, and the delivery of written diplomatic documents and petitions.