Historical and biblical representations in the fabrication of Monarchy of Spain. Discourses and theology in the mid-sixteenth century

Abstract

In this paper we will analyze the relationships between the Church and the Monarchy of Spain through some of the discourses that founded its historiographic building. In particular, we will highlight how they represented the prince and the monarchy in mid sixteenth century. Thus, we will focus on those characteristics that endow the sovereign and his government with qualities that gave his actions a real legitimacy to intervene in ecclesiastical government without disregarding the cultural and politica context of the time. In order to obtain this legitimacy, it was necessary to provide Spainwith an identity. Like other European monarchies, we will see how these discourses were founded on the historical patterns of ancient monarchies.