Celebrating a religious journey to the Spanish Catholic Haven: English Recusants in Valladolid in 1592

Abstract

Durante el siglo XVI, protestantes y católicos tuvieron varios enfrentamientos que hicieron tensa la situación en Europa. Los católicos estaban marginados en la sociedad y los recusantes (o católicos que se negaban a asistir a la iglesia porque significaba ser excomulgado) fueron expulsados de Inglaterra, obligados a buscar lugares seguros para completar su educación. El Colegio de San Albano en Valladolid fue uno de estos lugares seguros donde los recusantes vivieron. Este trabajo se centra en el relato atribuído a Joseph Creswell “A Relation of the King of Spaines receiving in Valliodolid, and in the Inglish College of the same towne, in August last part of this yere,” en el cual se analiza la visita del Rey Felipe II, su familia y su corte al Colegio. Además, se examina la situación de estos recusantes, así como la historia del Colegio en sí. Al final de este Trabajo Fin de Grado, el viaje de vuelta a Inglaterra es expuesto como punto importante del relato.

During the sixteenth century, Protestants and Catholics had many confrontations that tensed the situation in Europe. Catholics were marginated from society and even recusants (Catholics that remained in England refusing to go to Church because it meant to be excommunicated) were forced to leave England and find safe places in order to fulfill their education as seminary-priests. Saint Alban’s College in Valladolid was one of these safe habors where recusants lived. This dissertation is centrered on an account attributed to Joseph Creswell, A Relation of the King of Spaines receiving in Valliodolid, and in the Inglish College of the same towne, in August last part of this yere. It discusses Philip II’s and his family and Court visiting this College. Moreover, it analyze s recusant’s situation as well as the College’s history. At the end of it, the journey back to England is discussed as an important point of the account.