God save the queens. Propaganda and legitimation in the War of Castilian Succession (1475-1479)

Abstract

Since the Seventies, historiography about political propaganda has considerably increased due to the publication of general works and specific studies. Naturally, this has concerned the Middle Ages too. In fact, the significance of legitimacy in socio-political conflicts may lead us to notice a union between political necessity and intellectual production, which became especially stronger during the 14th and 15th centuries in the Crown of Castile. Political actors developed a complex communication process: their objective was to persuade –sometimes also mobilise- the population and win its favour. Propaganda of the succession struggle after Henry IV’s death (1475-1479) will be the main issue of this paper. In a comparative perspective, we will tackle the discourses and mechanisms used by Joanna and Isabella –Henry’s daughter and sister- to defend their respective legitimacy.