Saint and Nation

Saint and Nation, Volume 1, explores the complex intersection of religion and politics in seventeenth century Spain. This history work examines the Castilian parliament's decision to name Teresa of Avila as a co-patron saint of Spain alongside Santiago. By focusing on the cult of saints, the text provides a detailed account of how the early modern nation was experienced through the lens of Christianity and royal authority.

Erin Kathleen Rowe analyzes the tension between local identities and national power within this European history study. The book investigates the dynamics between church and state, as well as the balance of masculine and feminine roles during a period of crisis. This scholarly examination of seventeenth century Spain reveals how plural identities emerged through the debate over national patron sainthood and the evolving relationship between the center and the periphery.