“Translated out of Italian” and “tradotto in italiano”: How diplomats and naval commanders use and abuse translation during the Livorno crisis of 1652-1654

This essay examines the role of translation during the Anglo-Tuscan crisis of 1652-1654. The two important Tuscan and English diplomats of the time were Amerigo Salvetti, based in London, and Charles Longland, England’s agent in Livorno. Salvetti’s affairs intercrossed with Longland’s during the months preceding and subsequent to the Battle of Livorno between the Dutch and English fleets in March 1653. In the essay I shall consider the use Salvetti and Longland made of translation to further diplomatic purposes at the time of the crisis. The functional importance of translation will also be examined in the pamphlets that two English naval captains published after the battle.