Language:
Spanish
Year of publication:
2010
Titel der Quelle:
Sefarad
Angaben zur Quelle:
70,1 (2010) 141-170
Keywords:
Antisemitism History 1500-1800
;
Crypto-Jews
;
Christianity and other religions Judaism 1500-1800
;
History
Abstract:
Discusses an anonymous work entitled "Discurso cerca de las informaciones y estatutos de limpieza que en España se hazen", directed to the Conde-Duque de Olivares (Gaspar de Guzmán) probably between 1625-26, in which the author advocated limiting the genealogical research required by the "purity of blood" statutes. The author's intention was to back Olivares' attempt to reform the statutes as a way to fight the decadence of the nobility and of the state's institutions, steeped in nepotism and inefficiency, and to favor social mobility by liberalizing the access to state office. This work referred to religious arguments, stating that the statutes were in opposition to the most basic Christian principles. Asserts that Olivares' liberal policy did not succeed because "purity of blood" was a social, cultural, and religious value rooted in Spanish society. Especially in the 17th century, when new waves of Portuguese Conversos arrived in Spain, the statutes were the strongest instrument in the hands of the Spanish nobility to fight the influence of the Portuguese newcomers.
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