JUAN PALAFOX AND MENDOZA IN NEW SPAIN (1640-1649): PRELATE, GOOD MINISTER OR AUTONOMOUS ACTOR?

Abstract

Juan de Palafox and Mendoza is a prominent figure in the gallery of the prelates of New Spain who played an important political role in facing the viceroy in office. But he occupies an original place: before appearing as a threat to the stability of the viceroyalty, he was one of the most faithful servants of the Crown, at least in appearance. For years, he worked diligently to carry out the missions that the favorite had entrusted to him. For a long time he was on top of the world, then the sky darkened and the coalition of his enemies came to the end of his perseverance.How could such a politician not feel the wind spin? Appearances are sometimes deceptive and personalities more complex than they seem. In fact, Palafox y Mendoza was not just a performer: he had his own political project, a project more complex than we thought.

Keywords

• palafox y mendoza
• nueva españa
• historia política
• siglo xvii
• teorías políticas