“The Muslim Question” in 16th Century Spain

Abstract

The article challenges the traditional perception of the negative image of the Muslim period in the mass consciousness of that time, based on the material from “Relaciones Topográficas de Felipe II”. Neither the objects of “Moorish origin”, nor the “Moors” themselves, nor the “Moriscos” had any negative connotations in the perception of the Spanish people in the 16th century. Intellectuals took the lead in reevaluating the historical experiences of that time, which led to the development of national historiography and the emergence of the “Black Legend”, depicting the intense conflict between Muslims and Christians during the long Reconquista period. This reevaluation was driven more by the goals of state-building than by popular sentiments, as the scientific and political knowledge of that time was just beginning to comprehend the ideas of a unified kingdom, standardized laws, and a shared history.