Clio and the Crown: The Politics of History in Medieval and Early Modern Spain

Monarchs throughout the ages have commissioned official histories that cast their reigns in a favorable light for future generations. These accounts, sanctioned and supported by the ruling government, often gloss over the more controversial aspects of a king's or queen’s time on the throne. Instead, they present highly selective and positive readings of a monarch’s contribution to national identity and global affairs.

In Clio and the Crown, Richard L. Kagan examines the official histories o...