In this book, John Lynch has taken account of the research of the last decade to revise and expand his "Spain Under the Habsburgs Vol 1", and has incorporated it into the series "A History of Spain" (where it will cover the 16th century). The book retains its previous framework and identity, and remains a comprehensive account of the economy, politics and society of Spain, from the national foundations laid by Ferdinand and Isabella to the imperial policy of Charles V, and the world power of Philip II. The new research of the last 10 to 15 has increased our knowledge of the people, the resources and the institutions of early modern Spain. The result has been to change our perceptions of Spain during this period sufficiently to make historians reflect anew on familiar subjects. The author offers here a reappraisal of many of these subjects, including the Catholic monarchs, and a number of institutions, including the Inquisition. Chapters IV and V, on Spain during the price revolution, and Spain and its empire have been rewritten and expanded, Chapter V to include a fuller account of Spain's interaction with its American empire.
The author also re-interprets the political, social and economic history of Spain, and the absolutism of Philip II. He examines the trend towards regionalisms and the devolution of power to local elites, as well as the economic power of the aristocracy and the worsening conditions of the rural poor. Professor Lynch revises his previous treatment of bureaucratic devolution, royal finance and the role of the cortes, and establishes the character of royal bureaucracy during the period. He concludes with a new bibliography of recent works in the field.
- ISBN10 0631176969
- ISBN13 9780631176961
- Publish Date 14 November 1991
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 14 May 1997
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher John Wiley and Sons Ltd
- Imprint Blackwell Publishers
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 432
- Language English