The Black Legend: How Spain's Enemies Wrote Its History

This episode explores the origins and impact of the Black Legend—the propaganda campaign that painted Spain as uniquely cruel and fanatical during its Golden Age. Lucas and Luna trace how the Black Legend began with Dutch and English rivals like William of Orange and John Hawkins, who weaponized accounts of Spanish atrocities in the Americas. They examine key texts like Bartolomé de las Casas's 'A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies' and how it was repurposed by Spain's enemies. The discussion covers the role of the Inquisition in shaping foreign perceptions, the Spanish response to the legend, and how it influenced the Anglo-Spanish War and the Armada. They also touch on the legend's lasting effects on historiography and modern views of Spain. Key figures include Felipe II, Antonio Pérez, and the Dutch propagandist 'Marnix van St. Aldegonde'. #BlackLegend #SpanishEmpire #FelipeII #BartolomeDeLasCasas #WilliamOfOrange #JohnHawkins #Inquisition #Propaganda #AngloSpanishWar #Armada #DutchRevolt #AntonioPerez #MarnixVanStAldegonde #Historiography #16thCentury #Spain #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo