Freddy Cristóbal Domínguez - Böcker

Facing persecution in early modern England, some Catholics chose exile over conformity. Some even cast their lot with foreign monarchs rather than wait for their own rulers to have a change of heart. This book studies the relationship forged by English exiles and Philip II of Spain. It shows how these expatriates, known as the “Spanish Elizabethans,” used the most powerful tools at their disposal—paper, pens, and presses—to incite war against England during the “messianic” phase of Philip’s reign, from the years leading up to the Grand Armada until the king’s death in 1598.Freddy Cristóbal Domínguez looks at English Catholic propaganda within its international and transnational contexts. He examines a range of long-neglected polemical texts, demonstrating their prominence during an important moment of early modern politico-religious strife and exploring the transnational dynamic of early modern polemics and the flexible rhetorical approaches required by exile. He concludes that while these exiles may have lived on the margins, their books were central to early modern Spanish politics and are key to understanding the broader narrative of the Counter-Reformation.Deeply researched and highly original, Radicals in Exile makes an important contribution to the study of religious exile in early modern Europe. It will be welcomed by historians of early modern Iberian and English politics and religion as well as scholars of book history.

This book examines the active political life of Luisa Carvajal y Mendoza (1566–1614), a poet and mystic who renounced her noble birthright for an ascetic, spiritual life.Historian Freddy Cristóbal Domínguez draws on Luisa’s autobiographical writings, letters, and poetry to explore how piety and politics interacted in early modern Europe. He recounts Luisa’s remarkable decision to leave Catholic Spain to work as a missionary in Protestant England. She sought to help the afflicted Catholic community there and fulfill a vow of martyrdom. Domínguez argues that, though Luisa was a “holy” person—twice imprisoned for her beliefs—her spiritual goals were fundamentally intertwined with politics. Not incidentally but purposefully, she sought to influence Spain’s foreign policy, advised political figures, and engaged in polemical debates and performances against Protestants in England.As the first book to focus primarily on Carvajal y Mendoza’s politics, this multifaceted, innovative work expands our understanding of the role of laywomen in public life in early modern Europe. It also explores the roles of both Spain and England in shaping Luisa de Carvajal y Mendoza’s story and how she emerged as a political actor in multiple public spheres.

This book examines the active political life of Luisa Carvajal y Mendoza (1566–1614), a poet and mystic who renounced her noble birthright for an ascetic, spiritual life.Historian Freddy Cristóbal Domínguez draws on Luisa’s autobiographical writings, letters, and poetry to explore how piety and politics interacted in early modern Europe. He recounts Luisa’s remarkable decision to leave Catholic Spain to work as a missionary in Protestant England. She sought to help the afflicted Catholic community there and fulfill a vow of martyrdom. Domínguez argues that, though Luisa was a “holy” person—twice imprisoned for her beliefs—her spiritual goals were fundamentally intertwined with politics. Not incidentally but purposefully, she sought to influence Spain’s foreign policy, advised political figures, and engaged in polemical debates and performances against Protestants in England.As the first book to focus primarily on Carvajal y Mendoza’s politics, this multifaceted, innovative work expands our understanding of the role of laywomen in public life in early modern Europe. It also explores the roles of both Spain and England in shaping Luisa de Carvajal y Mendoza’s story and how she emerged as a political actor in multiple public spheres.