In the Devil’s Snare Book Report

Elliot, J. H. , gallant Spain 1469-1716. London Penguin Books, 1963. 423pgs. In Imperial Spain, J. H. Elliot examines the history of early red-brick Spain from the prevail of the Catholic Monarchs, Isabella and Ferdinand, to the reformation of the Spanish government by the first segment of the Bourbon dynasty. According to the writer, at the start of the fifteenth degree Celsius, Spain was internally weak, hopelessly divided and isolate from the continent by the Pyrenees.Yet, by 1492, Spanish society experienced a abominable transformation which allowed Isabella and Ferdinand to unify the country, secure the largest transoceanic imperium the world has ever known, and for a few decades become the strongest ground in all of Europe. Unfortunately, Elliot asserts, whatever dynamism excite this miraculous ascendancy did non stand firm very long and Spain became once once more than a second or third-rate domain.The per countersignal rule of the Catholic Monarchs, Elliot argue s, is what make Spain a dominant world magnate when the Habsburg dynasty ascended to the chamberpot, their cosmopolitan imperialism led them to neglect the nation that Isabella and Ferdinand had begun to create and led to the decline of Spanish power at home and abroad. The concur presents the information chronologically and topically. The first cardinal chapters deal with the geographical, amicable and policy-making changes that in additionk present during the reign of Isabella and Ferdinand. Chapters five-spot finished cristal analyze the Habsburg dynastys role in the undermining of the Spanish imperium.The extensive bibliography includes a topical function and several bibliographical essays. Six maps and five tables round come forth the work. In Chapter genius entitled The Union of Crowns Elliot contends that the marriage of Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon on 19 October 1469 make the idea of Spain an effected f turn of events. Even though there were lock large sections of present-day Spain outside of the monarchs control, the northern of Castile and Aragon created a situation in which the positive unification of the peninsula could not be cold off.While the marriage did not technically merge Aragon and Castile into one political entity, the author continues, the clam up relationship between Isabella and Ferdinand assured that they would act in concert for the go badment of their peoples. It was in this context, Elliot goes on to say in Chapter twain titled Reconquest and Conquest, that the Catholic Monarchs undertook the first cadence towards conglomerate the ReconquistaC the final elimination of the Moresque kingdom of Granada.Once the Reconquista was accomplished, the author avers, the monarchs could turn their attendance to other matters. These included the consolidation of monarchic power in Castile, the financing of the capital of Ohio expedition, the establishment of the New World empire when the expedition pr oved successful, and the hammering out of a favorable construeing with the Catholic Church. In Chapter Three, The Ordering of Spain Elliot continues by stating that Castile was to be the base for the Spanish empire.Not plainly was Castile the big and more populous of the dickens kingdoms, its political situation allowed for a consolidation of noble power that was not possible in Aragon. The Cortes (parliaments) and medieval fueros (far reaching privileges) of the towns and other organizations of Castile were not as strong or as well established as in Aragon and could be more easily circumvented or ignored. With the reorganization of the Council of Castile in 1480, the author asserts, Isabella had gather not only the executive simply the judicial power of the kingdom into her hands.Once the Reconquista was finalized in 1492, Granada and its resources fell under the jurisdiction of Castile. In addition, Isabella and Castile, Elliot explains, solely financed the Columbus expedit ion and when the mebibyte Admiral proved successful, the bran-new territories were administered by the Council of Castile. This meant that the fabulous wealth of the Indies was to further solidify the monarchs position in Castile. Aragon, the author states, was mostly left out of the affairs of empire and it turned its attention to its Mediterranean possessions.While it is certain that Ferdinand interfered little with Isabellas handling of Castilian affairs, Elliot asserts in Chapter quatern (The Imperial Destiny) that certain blusher issues were handled jointly by the monarchs. This was evident in the concessions that they were able to extract from the Vatican. Patronato Real, or the effective of presentation to all ecclesiastical benefices in the Kingdom of Granada was granted to the sovereigns of Spain by pontiff Innocent V ternion while the Reconquista was heretofore ongoing. Eventually, the author goes on to say, this right would be extended to all Spanish domains. Thi s gave the rulers of Spain nigh omplete control of the Catholic Church in their territories and in time, the clergy would become the most economical of bureaucrats and administrators of the Spanish empire. Chapter Five is entitled The administration and the Economy of the Reign of Charles V and in it Elliot argues that after Ferdinands death in 1516, his permutation Charles I of Spain, V of the Holy papistic imperium, inherited a thriving, pacified, quasi-united kingdom that had approach path to the incredible wealth of the Americas. The problem, the author suggests, was that Charles and his successors did not fully understand the complexity of the Spanish system they inherited.Instead of cultivating the emerging nationalism of the Spanish, the Habsburgs pursued an imperial policy that ultimately unmake the empire. Charles most grievous mistake, according to Elliot, was his absenteeism. Charles was king of Spain for nearly forty years, scarce he barely spent sixteen in the peninsula. Ferdinand and Isabella, the author postulates, had been personal monarchs always ahead their people. Charles absences made this impossible the people were discontented with this situation and Charles never became truly Spanish.Chapter Six, bleed and Religion describes how Charles continent- wide affairs generated a sense of instability and neglect in Spain. These continental affairs, the author adds, demanded readjustments, fiscal, social and administrative within SpainC what were her obligations to other parts of the Empire? Charles I, Elliot says, was forever embroiled in some conflictC the struggle with France in the 1520s, the offensive and antisubmarine operations against the Turks in the 1530s, 1540s and 1550s, and the impossible undertaking of destroying heresy once the Counterreformation was launchedC that strained the Imperial purse.Spain was induced to contribute heavily, the author states, though bankruptcy never materialized during Charles reign. Chapte r Seven ( one Monarch, One Empire, and One Sword) and Chapter ogdoad (Splendour and Misery) deal with the reign of Phillip II. Not being able to pack the Lutheran heresy, Charles abdicated in favor of his son Philip II in 1566. Philip, who inherited only Spain and the Netherlands, was able to remain in the peninsula, but the author argues, he chose to pursue a disastrous imperial policy corresponding his father. Philip turned his attention away from create a strong Spanish nation and in his capacity as withstander of theCatholic faith he insisted in conducting a series of ruinous campaigns against the infidels and the heretics, the Ottoman Turks and the English. By 1575, the author continues, the treasury was so fatuous that Philip was obliged to declare a moratorium on loan payments. Then, the costly Spanish Armada, belike Philips most important contribution to Habsburg Spain, was permanently crippled in 1588. Elliot maintains that even though materially the defeat of the A rmada was not so exorbitant that it could not be made up, the psychological impact was nevertheless great.It showed, the author argues, the collapse of Spanish policy in northern Europe. In 1598, the year of Philips death, Elliot asserts, the treasury was depleted and the nation was exhausted. The final two chapters (Revival and Disaster and Epitaph on Empire) discuss the three remaining Habsburg kings, Philip III (1598-1621), Philip IV (1621-1665), and Charles II (1665-1700) and how they were forced to event the reality of the defeat of Spain. According to Elliot, the pull through three Habsburg kings lacked the material resources, had no equal to(p) ministers, viceroys and other officials.This situation, the author speculates, was due in part to the closed nature of the Spanish social and educational systems of the 17th century both of which failed to produce innovative political leaders. Charles II failed to produce an heir and through international machinations, Philip Duke of Anjou was proclaimed King Philip V in April 1701. Once the War of Spanish Succession was concluded and the Bourbon right to the throne formalized by the Treaty of Utrecht, the new king quickly divested himself of the Netherlands, the Spanish Italian possessions, introduced the intendant system and in 1716 broke Aragons independence.Spain was in the long run centralized and Castilianized, but according to Elliot, it came too late. Castilian economic and cultural hegemony were a function of the past and its backwardness was thrust upon the more advanced peripheral areas. Elliots guard explains Spanish political and military affairs between 1469 and 1716 in great detail. It is not necessary to be an expert on Spanish history to fully understand the inner workings of the Spanish monarchy as it truggled to centralize the nation and defend universality during the Reformation after reading this word of honor. This take hold is also useful for those who want to better understand the i mperial government of the Spanish colonies. The information presented in this book provides a chronological basis for creating a historical fictional character between 1600 and 1640 particularly if the character is involved in politics. The book would not be suitable for those elicit in the cultural, intellectual or social history of Spain during this period.