Kingship and Favoritism in the Spain of Philip III, 1598-1621

by Antonio Feros

Overview

The reign of Philip III of Spain (1598SH1621) has been viewed traditionally as the age when Spain's world power started to wane. This book reappraises this interpretation and demonstrates that this period represented a realignment of Spanish power in world affairs. It also analyzes the career of the Duke of Lerma, Philip III's chief minister, the first of a series of European royal favorites (such as the Duke of Buckingham, Cardinal Richelieu, and the Count-Duke of Olivares) who influenced politics, court culture and the arts during the seventeenth century.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521561136
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	08/03/2000
Series:	Cambridge Studies in Early Modern History
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.87(d)

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments; Introduction; Part I. The Rising Stars: Introduction; 1. The education of a king; 2. The making of a favourite; 3. Continuity or reform?; Part II. The King's Valido: Introduction; 4. The power of the king; 5. In his image and likeness; 6. The king's chief minister; Part III. Monarchy in Action: Introduction; 7. 'We need miracles'; 8. A corrupt regime?; 9. The regime's answer: peace and Catholicism; Part IV: Reversal of Fortune: Introduction; 10. Ideological confrontation and factional division; 11. Fall from power; 12. In search of culprits; Epilogue: the end of the privado; Bibliography; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"Drawing upon extensive archival research and a mastery of relevant secondary materials, he carefully relates the contemporary literature to specific historical events that influenced Spain's foreign and domestic policies...superb volume...Every academic library should purchase it." Choice

"Feros has composed an elegantly written and thoroughly researched monogragh. He has skillfully bridged the gap that until recently detached political studies of sixteenth- century Sapin from those of the seventeenth century." Renaissance Quarterly

"His careful and exhaustive methodolgy...and his analysis of political discourse and patronage networks are most striking." Journal of Interdisciplinary History

"Feros's excellent study of the duke of Lerma's career offers a highly readable narrative that reexamines the major policies and changes in the functioning of the highest spheres of the royal government during Philip III's reign." American Historical Review

"This excellent study joins other recent revisionist analyses of a period hitherto overlooked or underestimated....this is a fine, important, and exciting bbok..." Sixteenth Century Journal

From the Publisher