Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press / Hakluyt Society, 1972. Two volumes, blue cloth. pp xxxii, 368; (x), 369-629, [5] + colour frontispieces, folding maps; indexed. Fine in near fine jackets. "By the early sixteenth century the loosely knit kingdom of Georgia had disintegrated from the strong monarchy of the middle ages to a number of small states and principalities. This internal disunity made the Georgians easy victims of the power politics of the neighbouring Ottoman and Safavid empries, and by the end of the century the southward drive of the Russians intensified the struggle for military and diplomatic control over the whole of the Caucasian isthmus. As a result of this struggle embassies were exchanged between the Russian tsars and Georgian kings ruling in Kakheti during the years 1564-1605..Although writers seem to be frequently pre-occupied with questions of protocol, their observations give a clear picture of both current Russian administrative and diplomatic practice and of the life and customs of the peoples of the Caucasus and Georgia."- jacket. Note: 1.5 kg parcel, extra shipping may be required.; Octavo 0521010314