Renaissance Cardinals: Diplomats and Patrons in the Early Modern World Conference

The History Programme within the School of Arts and Humanities at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, hosted a conference Renaissance Cardinals: Diplomats and Patrons in the Early Modern World at neighbouring Strawberry Hill House on the 13^th and 14^th March. The conference was formally opened St Mary’s Vice-Chancellor Francis Campbell. It was Chaired by the School’s Academic Director for History and Philosophy Dr Glenn Richardson and focused on the roles of cardinals as diplomats and patrons of the arts and learning. Delegates heard from keynote speakers and discussed papers with themes such as; The Training and Careers of Cardinals as Ambassadors, Motivations, Ambitions and Legacies of Cardinals, and Cardinals’ Artistic Patronage, given by speakers from across Europe, the United States, Russia and Brazil. The keynote speakers for the conference included Prof Jennifer Desilva, from Ball State University, Indiana, and Dr Judith Curthoys, Archivist at Christ Church, Oxford University. Speaking after the conference, Dr Glenn Richardson said, “The range and quality of the papers delivered was impressive and we learned a great deal about these important figures in Renaissance history. St Mary’s was pleased to host this research conference in association with Strawberry Hill House.”