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Hosting embassies at Louis XIV’s & Qianlong’s courts: two rulers, one guest ritual?
Although Louis XIV is more commonly associated with the Kangxi emperor, when it comes to guest ritual, the analogy with his grandson the Qianlong emperor appears quite relevant. Not only did the two rulers share a common conception of the guest ritual, in particular for embassies from afar, they also lent it a similar meaning and political function in the construction of their royal authority. Centered around diplomatic protocol, this quiet battle between two sovereigns during diplomatic visits sheds a light on the underlying conflictuality which underpins the meeting of two civilizations.
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