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Parallel Histories: Muslims and Jews in Inquisitorial Spain
The distinct religious culture of early modern Spain -- characterized by religious unity at a time when fierce civil wars between Catholics and Protestants fractured northern Europe -- is further understood through examining the expulsion of the Jews and suspected Muslims. While these two groups had previously lived peaceably, if sometimes uneasily, with their Christian neighbors throughout much of the medieval era, the expulsions brought a new intensity to Spanish Christian perceptions of both the moriscos (converts from Islam) and the judeoconversos (converts from Judaism). In Parallel Histories, James S. Amelang reconstructs the compelling struggle of converts to coexist with a Christian majority that suspected them of secretly adhering to their ancestral faiths and destroying national religious unity in the process.
Discussing first Muslims and then Jews in turn, Amelang explores not only the expulsions themselves but also religious beliefs and practices, social and professional characteristics, the construction of collective and individual identities, cultural creativity, and, finally, the difficulties of maintaining orthodox rites and tenets under conditions of persecution. Despite the oppression these two groups experienced, the descendants of the judeoconversos would ultimately be assimilated into the mainstream, unlike their morisco counterparts, who were exiled in 1609.
Amelang masterfully presents a complex narrative that not only gives voice to religious minorities in early modern Spain but also focuses on one of the greatest divergences in the history of European Christianity.
Discussing first Muslims and then Jews in turn, Amelang explores not only the expulsions themselves but also religious beliefs and practices, social and professional characteristics, the construction of collective and individual identities, cultural creativity, and, finally, the difficulties of maintaining orthodox rites and tenets under conditions of persecution. Despite the oppression these two groups experienced, the descendants of the judeoconversos would ultimately be assimilated into the mainstream, unlike their morisco counterparts, who were exiled in 1609.
Amelang masterfully presents a complex narrative that not only gives voice to religious minorities in early modern Spain but also focuses on one of the greatest divergences in the history of European Christianity.
- GenresSpain
224 pages, Paperback
First published November 10, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 11, 2023
Rate: 4/5
Amelang does a great job of summarizing the history of Muslims and Jews in Spain (as well as their interactions with the increasingly militant Christians) leading up to and after the fall of Muslim Granada in 1492, a watershed for the hundreds of years of discrimination that would follow. In this book, Amelang discusses racial and religious categorization of moriscos and conversos, or converted Muslims and Jews (to Christianity), respectively, as well as provide evidence for their perception in a newly Christian Spain that was contemptuous of their undeniable social presence. He uses a boatload of evidence, possibly to a fault, to support his claims that while moriscos were not considered as impure as conversos, a variety of factors led to their ultimate expulsion, rather than the partially successful assimilation of the conversos.
The chronology of the book was somewhat confusing on first read. Amelang, per the title, splits his book into two sections, discussing the post-1492 (and relevant history leading up to 1492, in the case of the conversos) experiences of moriscos and conversos in Spain, respectively. However, jumping from the perspective of 17th century moriscos to 14th and 15th century Jews was jarring, and could have been avoided by incorporating the history of the two groups together while explicitly differentiating their "Parallel History" (roll credits). Furthermore, Amelang indulges in antiquated language and phrases his sentences in a way that might be confusing for some. Thankfully, reading on the Kindle app allowed me to highlight a word and immediately see its definition. However, for even the most literate readers... keep your pocket dictionary handy and make sure you come in focused. This is not a book you can read casually; it requires your full attention.
I would only recommend this book if you have a prior understanding of Jewish and Muslim history in medieval Spain. It seems that Amelang assumes that his audience has at least a basic knowledge of the events preceding and surrounding the 1492 surrender of Muslim Granada to los reyes católicos. Nevertheless, this book provides valuable context for the Inquisition and even sheds light on modernist religious views still applicable today. Overall, an enriching read, but not for those searching for something casual and mindless.
Amelang does a great job of summarizing the history of Muslims and Jews in Spain (as well as their interactions with the increasingly militant Christians) leading up to and after the fall of Muslim Granada in 1492, a watershed for the hundreds of years of discrimination that would follow. In this book, Amelang discusses racial and religious categorization of moriscos and conversos, or converted Muslims and Jews (to Christianity), respectively, as well as provide evidence for their perception in a newly Christian Spain that was contemptuous of their undeniable social presence. He uses a boatload of evidence, possibly to a fault, to support his claims that while moriscos were not considered as impure as conversos, a variety of factors led to their ultimate expulsion, rather than the partially successful assimilation of the conversos.
The chronology of the book was somewhat confusing on first read. Amelang, per the title, splits his book into two sections, discussing the post-1492 (and relevant history leading up to 1492, in the case of the conversos) experiences of moriscos and conversos in Spain, respectively. However, jumping from the perspective of 17th century moriscos to 14th and 15th century Jews was jarring, and could have been avoided by incorporating the history of the two groups together while explicitly differentiating their "Parallel History" (roll credits). Furthermore, Amelang indulges in antiquated language and phrases his sentences in a way that might be confusing for some. Thankfully, reading on the Kindle app allowed me to highlight a word and immediately see its definition. However, for even the most literate readers... keep your pocket dictionary handy and make sure you come in focused. This is not a book you can read casually; it requires your full attention.
I would only recommend this book if you have a prior understanding of Jewish and Muslim history in medieval Spain. It seems that Amelang assumes that his audience has at least a basic knowledge of the events preceding and surrounding the 1492 surrender of Muslim Granada to los reyes católicos. Nevertheless, this book provides valuable context for the Inquisition and even sheds light on modernist religious views still applicable today. Overall, an enriching read, but not for those searching for something casual and mindless.
May 25, 2026
4..9/5 Stars.
October 7, 2013
I haven't read the entire book, but the chapters which I read for class I found interesting, informative, and easy to follow. I'd like to read the rest of the book when I have time.
January 15, 2014
A very well written, accessible and interesting work of scholarship
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews