The Ambassador at the Theatre

Quelle a été l’influence du théâtre sur les stratégies de communication de l’ambassadeur des Habsbourgs à la cour d’Espagne, à une époque où la dissimulation était devenue un outil indispensable ? L’article aborde cette question en s’appuyant sur les informations fournies par le journal du comte Franz E. Pötting : routine des entretiens quotidiens et soirées au théâtre, dominé par le génie de Calderón.What was the influence of the theatre on the communication strategies of the Habsburg ambassador to the Spanish Court, at a time when dissimulation had become an indispensible tool? The article tackles that question by using information drawn from Count Franz E. Pötting’s journal: routine of daily interviews and evenings at the theatre, dominated by Calderón’s genius.¿Cuál fue la influencia del teatro sobre las estrategias comunicativas del embajador imperial en la corte de España, en una época en que la disimulación se había convertido en arma indispensable? El estudio aborda esta cuestión aprovechando los datos contenidos en el diario del conde Franz E. Pötting (1663-1673), tanto sobre la rutina de sus negociaciones diarias como sobre las tardes en un teatro dominado por el genio de Calderón

Childbirth Rhythms and Childbirth Ritual in Early Modern Spain, together with some Comments on the Virtues of Midwives

Childbirth in Early Modern Spain can be viewed as an area where ig­norant midwives and cruel doctors ruled over terrified women who, deprived of all choices, were condemned to passively endure the ordeal of parturition. Medical and judicial sources seem to strengthen this vision.Yet, when we apply Mary Douglas’s theory of ritual, another picture emerges which might be just as valid for wide sections of social experience. Consequently, this article concentrates on the social rhythms of birth. It will touch on relics, the Rose of Jericho, delivery as a shared experience, on birthing positions, role playing and the stories which were brought back to the memory of parturient women, espe­cially those about Saint Mary, imagined as a midwife and a powerful assistant who comes to the rescue of sinners.Doctors from Golden Age Spain, it appears, appreciated the knowledge and skills of midwives. Even though they tried to curtail some rituals and wrote against witchcraft, they did not want to do away with the institution of female midwifery

¿Lo que más temían las mujeres? Partos mortales y embarazos de riesgo en palacio y en casas de pobres (Siglo de Oro con incursiones contemporáneas)

Our vision of maternal death in childbed is conditioned by sources which foreground vicissitudes in the lives of aristocrats. Where testimonies deal with commoners, death seems to be much less frequent than could be expected.  Possible reasons for this divergence between the spheres of the nobles and commoners will be discussed in this study. Moreover, it raises the question of the impact of epidemies and diseases on the course of pregnancy and birth