'Another Jerusalem' : Political Legitimacy and Courtly Government in the Kingdom of New Spain (1535 - 1568)

In ‘Another Jerusalem': Political Legitimacy and Courtly Government in the Kingdom of New Spain (1535-1568) José-Juan López-Portillo offers a new approach to understanding why the most densely populated and culturally sophisticated regions of Mesoamerica accepted the authority of Spanish viceroys. By focusing on the routines and practices of quotidian political life in New Spain, and the ideological affinities that bound indigenous and non-indigenous political communities to the viceregal regime, López Portillo discloses the formation of new loyalties, interests and identities particular to New Spain. Rather than the traditional view of European colonial domination over a demoralized indigenous population, New Spain now appears as Mexico City's sub-empire: an aggregate of the Habsburg ‘composite monarchy'.'Embellished with wonderful illustrations, this work draws upon extensive secondary and primary sources. Scholars studying Spain's America will find it a thoughtful addition to historical literature on 16th-century New Spain.'- M. A. Burkholder, University of Missouri - St. Louis, in: CHOICE, July 2018 Vol. 55 No. 11 Intro -- Another Jerusalem': Political Legitimacy and Courtly Government in the Kingdom of New Spain (1535-1568) -- Copyright -- Contents -- Acknowledgements -- List of Illustrations -- List of Abbreviations -- Glossary -- A Note on Terms -- Introduction -- Historiographical Background -- 'Another Jerusalem' Reconsidered -- Part 1: New Spain's Original Sin -- 1 Tlatocayotl and Hidalguía: Ideals of Life before the Conquest -- Polities, Palaces and Princes in Mesoamerica -- Hidalguía in the New World up to 1521 -- 2 Original Sin -- Honour among Thieves: The Cortésian Settlement of 1520-1527 -- The Castilian Perspective and Failure of the Cortésian Settlement -- Mendicant Exception -- Conclusion -- Part 2: Courtly Government -- 3 Viceroys and Magnates -- Rivalling the conquistadores -- Managing Officialdom -- Conclusion -- 4 Republic of Spaniards -- Appropriating Royal Grace -- Influence over the encomenderos -- Appropriating Public Ceremonial -- Conclusion -- 5 Republic of Indios -- Alliance with the Friars -- Personal and Courtly Government -- Tribute -- Mediation of Disputes -- Political Patronage -- Indio Chivalry -- Conclusion -- Part 3: 'Another Jerusalem' -- 6 Political Ideals -- Conquest as Conversion -- Liberty, Tyranny and Piety -- Viceroys -- Conclusion -- 7 Constructing New Spain -- Law, Tribute and Bureaucracy -- Principal Citizens and Viceregal Preponderance -- Conclusion -- Epilogue: Cui bono? -- Appendix A: Prominent Courtiers -- I Indigenous Recipients of Viceregal Licences to Bear European Arms or Ride Horses -- i The West: Michoacán, Jalisco and Colima -- ii The Centre: Mexico Basin, Toluca Valley and the Northern Frontier -- iii The East: Tlaxcala and Puebla Valleys -- iv The South: Oaxaca, Tehuantepec and Verapaz -- II Antonio de Mendoza's Household Dependants In 'Another Jerusalem': Political Legitimacy and Courtly Government in the Kingdom of New Spain (1535-1568) José-Juan López-Portillo offers a new approach to understanding why the most densely populated and culturally sophisticated regions of Mesoamerica accepted the authority of Spanish viceroys. By focusing on the routines and practices of quotidian political life in New Spain, and the ideological affinities that bound Indigenous and non-Indigenous political communities to the viceregal regime, López Portillo discloses the formation of new loyalties, interests and identities particular to New Spain. Rather than the traditional view of European colonial domination over a demoralized Indigenous population, New Spain now appears as Mexico City's sub-empire: an aggregate of the Habsburg 'composite monarchy'. "Embellished with wonderful illustrations, this work draws upon extensive secondary and primary sources. Scholars studying Spain's America will find it a thoughtful addition to historical literature on 16th-century New Spain." M. A. Burkholder, University of Missouri - St. Louis , CHOICE, July 2018 Vol. 55 No. 11