This contribution focuses on the peace of Vervins and the process of gathering informationduring the peace negotiations which hitherto has been neglected. The peace conferenceof Vervins took place in 1598 between Spain (Philip II) and France (Henry IV). Athird significant party was Archduke Albert of Austria in whose name the Habsburg diplomatswere sent. This Habsburg delegation consisted out of three diplomats: Jean Richardot,Jean-Baptiste de Tassis and Lodewijk Verreycken. During the conference, the diplomatshad to inform Albrecht about every development and collect further intelligenceabout the political situation in France. Although the accumulation of information and thecommunication process were confronted with certain problems, the method of the diplomatsin Vervins indicates the professionalization of diplomacy.
