Spanish Society, 1348-1700

Spanish Society 1348-1700 depicts a complex and fascinating country in transition from the late Middle Ages to modernity. It uncovers every part of society from the gluttonous nobility to their starving peasants. This new edition has been expanded back to the coming of the Black Death in 1348 and forward to 1700, which saw the death of Charles II and the beginnings of the War of Spanish Succession. New to this edition is a chapter on religious social practices and an extended look at Cervantes’ Don Quixote as a coda for the book. This compelling account includes historial examples and literary extracts, providing students with direct access to this captivating period.

Beginning with the Black Death in 1348 and extending through to the demise of Habsburg rule in 1700, this second edition of Spanish Society, 1348–1700 has been expanded to provide a wide and compelling exploration of Spain’s transition from the Middle Ages to modernity.

Each chapter builds on the first edition by offering new evidence of the changes in Spain’s social structure between the fourteenth and seventeenth century. Every part of society is examined, culminating in a final section that is entirely new to the second edition and presents the changing social practices of the period, particularly in response to the growing crises facing Spain as it moved into the seventeenth century. Also new to this edition is a consideration of the social meaning of culture, specifically the presence of Hermetic themes and of magical elements in Golden Age literature and Cervantes’ Don Quijote.

Through the extensive use of case studies, historical examples and literary extracts, Spanish Society is an ideal way for students to gain direct access to this captivating period.