Hermenegildvs Rex: Prince, Usurper, and Martyr

A Critical Study on the Rebellion of St Hermenegild (578-585)

By (author) Rafael Barroso Cabrera By (author) Jorge Morín de Pablos By (author) Isabel Sánchez Ramos Translated by Ricardo López Fernebrand

Book cover: Hermenegildvs Rex: Prince, Usurper, and Martyr

Extent: 180 pages

Publisher: Archaeopress Publishing

Subjects: Medieval Studies

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(May 2025)

ISBN: 9781805830283

7.99 x 10.87 inches

Price: $49.00

In stock

Hermenegild’s rebellion and conversion remain highly debated, seen either as ambition or defence of true faith. This study examines its causes, consequences, and role in unifying Goths and Romans, laying groundwork for Reccared’s Catholic conversion and sacralising Visigothic kingship.


The rebellion of Hermenegild and his conversion form one of the most controversial and darkest episodes in the history of Spain. Even at the time, this event was the subject of widely differing interpretations which influenced subsequent versions. Today, there is still no consensus among researchers on the real reasons for the crisis that finally led to civil war between Leovigild and his son. However, from the outset, the issue was polarised between those who saw it as a simple usurpation motivated by ambition for the crown and those who considered the rebellion as a legitimate defence of the true faith. Beyond the controversy, the crisis caused by the prince’s royal anointing was a decisive episode in the historical development of the kingdom of Toledo, preparing the ground for the conversion of Reccared to Catholicism and accelerating the unification of Arians and Catholics, Goths and Romans. This study aims to provide a coherent response to the main questions raised by this important historical episode (the nature of the rebellion, the true motivations and reactions, personal responsibilities, political and religious consequences, etc.), as well as highlighting the importance of Hermenegild’s conversion in relation to the subsequent sacralisation of the Visigothic royal institution.

Evocation of St Hermenegild: a Silenced History, a Pending Claim Lights and Shadows around Hermenegild's Rebellion Hermenegild and the Ordinatio Principis in Visigothic Spain Conclusions: Hermenegild, King David and the Sacralisation of Gothic Royalty Annex 1. On the Location of the Monastery of Biclaro Annex 2. An image of St Hermenegild from the Visigothic Period? Two Rectifications and a New Reading of a Relief from the Lapidary Museum of Narbonne (or To Err is Human) Bibliography,

Evocation of St Hermenegild: a Silenced History, a Pending Claim

Lights and Shadows around Hermenegild’s Rebellion

Hermenegild and the Ordinatio Principis in Visigothic Spain

Conclusions: Hermenegild, King David and the Sacralisation of Gothic Royalty

Annex 1. On the Location of the Monastery of Biclaro

Annex 2. An image of St Hermenegild from the Visigothic Period? Two Rectifications and a New Reading of a Relief from the Lapidary Museum of Narbonne (or To Err is Human)

Bibliography

  • By (author) Rafael Barroso Cabrera
  • By (author) Jorge Morín de Pablos
  • By (author) Isabel Sánchez Ramos
  • Translated by Ricardo López Fernebrand