Fighting the Antichrist: A Cultural History of Anti-Catholicism in Tudor England

An analysis on the discourse against Catholicism, from the breach from Rome in 1534 until the death of Elizabeth I in 1603, this work shows the cultural representations of Catholicism that were decisive in creating and molding the perceptions that many Englishmen had of the new Anglican Church and its alleged enemies. It details anti-Catholic propaganda common in the period—such as that of the lazy and lecherous monk, the cruel Spaniard, the seductive and deceitful Jesuit, and the Machiavellian schemer—how such stereotypes allowed anti-Catholics to send a clear message to their Protestant countrymen: that Catholicism was a devilish, corrupt foreign power that could undermine the most basic pillars of English society. Author Leticia Álvarez-Recio explores a wide number of texts of different genres in order to determine their contribution to the aforementioned cultural image of the Roman Catholic Church in England, while special attention is paid to political and doctrinal plays and pamphlets, given their appeal to different social groups and their role in creating a new public opinion. Originally published in Spanish, this translated edition provides an inter-disciplinary approach, addressing issues such as the formation of public opinion, the influence of imperial discourse, and the overriding role of religion in nationalist issues.