Promotional Information

Juana the Mad sheds light on attitudes toward female rulers and the Habsburg accession to power in the Spanish kingdoms, and can tell us a great deal about cultural attitudes toward madness in the sixteenth century. Aram's work provides a theoretically sophisticated new look at the queen, one that challenges long-accepted 'truths' about Juana. Aram's material is excellent-well presented, effectively and logically organized, detailed and compelling. The implications of her findings are far-reaching for both Spanish and European historians. -- Magdalena S. Sanchez, Gettysburg College

About the Author

Bethany Aram is professor of Spanish and European history at the Institute of International Studies, Seville, Spain.

Reviews

A welcome new perspective on the important role of a proprietary queen... We cannot but agree with Aram's assertion that 'madness, like gender, proved a flexible concept in the realm of sovereignty'. Times Literary Supplement This book gives us a fresh look at the poor queen, nicely illustrated with fresh archival records. -- Thomas Dandelet Renaissance Quarterly This is a very good first book: it is thoroughly researched, well written, and full of new information and insights into the poorly understood life of one of Castile's most unfortunate queens. -- Sara T. Nalle Sixteenth Century Journal The amount of scholarly work that Mrs. Aram has expended is amazing and exciting to read. Bibliotheque d'Humanisme et Renaissance An enlightening and indispensable book... For all who are interested in the themes of monarchical identity and European court customs, this study will prove a fascinating and rewarding work. -- William H. Clamurro Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Teaching