Philip Plantamour
From George Stepney’s Secretary to the Diplomat of Augustus II
Abstract
The article examines the figure of Philip Plantamour, a French Huguenot who was forced to leave his homeland following the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. It seeks to fill a gap in both European and Polish historiography by reconstructing his biography and diplomatic career, first in English and later in Saxon service. The source material is highly dispersed, with manuscripts signed by Plantamour preserved in several institutions: The National Archives (Kew, London), the British Library, the Kent History and Library Centre, and the Hauptstaatsarchiv Dresden.
Plantamour eventually settled in Berlin, where he met George Stepney and began working as his secretary, marking the start of his involvement in English diplomacy. After Stepney’s departure to Vienna in 1703, Plantamour entered the service of Augustus II, a position he held until his death. He carried out his duties within the English embassy in Berlin diligently and enjoyed the trust of Ambassador Stepney, who spoke highly of him. He was likewise well regarded for his later work in the Saxon diplomatic corps. His transition to the service of Augustus II not only earned him recognition for his diligence and attention to detail but also brought him into personal acquaintance with the Polish king and Jakob Heinrich von Flemming.
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