Courtezan factions to the expulsion of the Moriscos

Abstract

The history of the Moriscos in the Iberian Peninsula, has been studied thoroughly and its evolution until their expulsion in 1609-1610, has been expressed and explained with detail by the important historians. It seems a if nothing new could be told about this minority. However, an analysis of the groups of power which ruled the Hispanic Monarchy during the reigns of Philip II and Philip III shows that the factions which already took the decision of the expulsion in the reign of Philip II, were not the same as those who carried out such a drastic measure in the reign of his son; on the contrary, they belonged to the opposing political group. This contradiction allows us to open a new line of research and a revision of the well established theories about the evolution of this minority.