Apologists for Spanish intolerance and the dawn of the “black legend”, 1556–1665

ABSTRACT

The image of Spain as the epitome of religious intolerance is believed to have been constructed by Spain’s enemies during the reign of Philip II, and later disseminated by Enlightenment and liberal writers. This common belief conceals vast evidence that early modern apologists of Spain insistently claimed that the kings, inquisitors, and people of Spain exceeded any others in religious intolerance. By revealing the similarities between Habsburg Spain propaganda and the Enlightenment narrative, this article suggests that ideas evolve through history in less linear and obvious paths that is often assumed, and that the same tropes can serve both to exalt and vilify the same collective identity.

KEYWORDS:

• Black legend
• religious intolerance
• inquisition
• national stereotypes
• Philip II

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).