This collection of essays contains an impressive body of the author's work on the history of Spain in the seventeenth century, which has focused particularly on the issues of high politics, international strategy and military infrastructure. The essays consistently illustrate R.A. Stradling's revisionist emphasis on aspects of the Spanish monarchy's 'survival', as opposed to orthodox treatments fixated upon 'decline'. The major questions about Spain in the period are all addressed: the quality of leadership, in particular that of Olivares and his master, Philip IV; the effect of war and the strains imposed by the demands of military provision; and the perception and reality of the 'decline'.Stimulating and immediate in style, the great majority of the essays are the result of sustained research work in the archives of Spain and other western European countries, as well as concentrated consideration of the broader contexts. They are all concerned to highlight interpretation and relevance in a way that enlivens the specific issues under review.

Detailed consideration of the poetry of the literary academies, with particular attention paid to the literary and social role of the academies in 17c Spain.

The first comprehensive study in English of one of the most important bodies of verse in European literature.

Focusing on the royal chapel established by Philip II in Madrid, the essays in this richly illustrated volume offer a series of different perspectives on the development of the main court chapels of Europe. English version edited by Tess Knighton The royal chapel, in Europe as a whole and in Spain in particular, was a cultural institution where court ceremonial, politics, music and the arts were brought together in terms of space and function. The ramifications for the patronage and cultivation of the arts and the dynamic between music and the arts and the concept of kingship form the focus of the text. The phenomenon of groupings of singers, chaplainsand musicians at the service of the different European monarchies is of great significance both for the history of music, and the political and cultural history of the court in general. The royal chapel established by Philip II in Madrid was the central religious and musical institution of royal power until well into the eighteenth century, and using this as a focus, the essays in this richly illustrated volume offer a series of different perspectives onthe development of the main court chapels of Europe. These papers were delivered at the international seminar, 'La Real Capilla de Palacio en la época de los Austrias', under the auspices of the Fundación Carlos de Amberes,Madrid from 14 to 16 December, 2000. The volume is edited by Tess Knighton, Juan José Carreras and Bernardo García García, and translated by Yolanda Acker.

This book brings to light the extent to which the Thirty Years War was a religious war.

Traces the life of King Philip IV's principal minister, describes the Count-Duke's efforts to stop Spain's decline, and looks at seventeenth century European politics