#British#diplomacy in a narrow sense first existed from the 18th century onwards, after the #ActOfTheUnion in 1707.
During the 17th century British diplomatic activities expanded and British #emdiplomats were considered to conduct ad hoc diplomatic negotiations at foreign #courts, although lacking clearly defined professional boundaries and assignments or institutional structures. At the same time, British #emdiplomacy commenced building networks of resident #amabassadors and agents who among other tasks gathered information, shaped amicable relations to their hosts and represented and protected British commercial interests. (5/6)