The Portuguese authors between 1580 and 1640: a literary battle for the preeminence within the Spanish monarchy

Abstract

This study is located in the stream analyzing the Spanish monarchy as a union of kingdoms that only shared the person of the common monarch. The study examines how the Portuguese authors were evaluating their kingdom's situation within this vast composite monarchy. This analysis will be done through historiographical works, geographical relations, works about the language question and the seat of the monarchy’s court. The conclusion is that most of the Portuguese authors demanded the preeminence of their kingdom within the monarchy, a position that then was given to the kingdom of Castile.