Underground Protestantism in Sixteenth Century Spain

A Much Ignored Side of Spanish History

By (author) Frances Luttikhuizen Associate editor Günter Frank Associate editor Barbara Mahlmann-Bauer Associate editor Johannes Schilling Associate editor Günther Wassilowsky Associate editor Siegrid Westphal Associate editor Tarald Rasmussen Associate editor Mathijs Lamberigts Associate editor Bruce Gordon Associate editor David M. Whitford Associate editor Zsombor Tóth

Book cover: Underground Protestantism in Sixteenth Century Spain

Extent: 434 pages

Publisher: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht

Subjects: Early Modern & Renaissance Studies, Religious Studies

Series: Refo500 Academic Studies (R5AS)

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(December 2016)

ISBN: 9783525551103

6.34 x 9.33 inches

Price: $163.00

In stock

The arrival, reception, and suppression of Protestant thought in sixteenth century Spain


Frances Luttikhuizen chronicles the arrival, reception, and suppression of Protestant thought in sixteenth century Spain-referred to at that time as ‘Lutheranism’. It opens with several chapters describing the socio-political-religious context that prevailed in Spain at the beginning of the sixteenth century and the growing trend to use the vernacular for parts of the Mass, as well as for catechizing the populace. Special attention is given to the forerunners, that is, the early alumbrado-deixados, the role of Cardinal Cisneros, and the impact of Erasmus and Juan de Valdes, etc. The use of archival material provides new details regarding the historical framework and the spread of evangelical thought in sixteenth century Spain. These dispatches and trial records greatly enrich the main body of the work, which deals with the arrival and confiscation of evangelical literature, the attitude of Charles V and Philip II towards religious dissidents, and the severe persecution of the underground evangelical circles at Seville and Valladolid. Special attention is given to the many women involved in the movement. The recurrent mention of the discovery and confiscation of prohibited literature shows how books played an important role in the development of the movements. The final chapters focus on the exiles and their contributions, the persecution of foreigners, and the years up to the abolition of the Inquisition. The work concludes with the efforts made in the nineteenth century to rediscover the history of the persecuted sixteenth century Spanish Protestants and their writings.

  • By (author) Frances Luttikhuizen
  • Associate editor Günter Frank
  • Associate editor Barbara Mahlmann-Bauer
  • Associate editor Johannes Schilling
  • Associate editor Günther Wassilowsky
  • Associate editor Siegrid Westphal
  • Associate editor Tarald Rasmussen
  • Associate editor Mathijs Lamberigts
  • Associate editor Bruce Gordon
  • Associate editor David M. Whitford
  • Associate editor Zsombor Tóth