Spain’s 17th Century: Validos, Wars & Habsburg Decline
The Role of the Valido in 17th Century Spain
A distinctive feature of the Spanish seventeenth century was the Valido (or Private). This figure was a de facto ruler, though not a legal one, interposed between the monarch and state institutions, making key decisions. Introduced under Philip III, who entrusted governance to the Duke of Lerma, one of the great Validos alongside the later Count-Duke of Olivares. They were aware of their position’s unpopularity, and successors like the Duke of Uceda and Don Luis de Haro strove to be more discreet. The Valido position was a political appointee chosen by royal decision, often without specific preparation.
Key Events Under Philip III (1598-1621)
The Twelve Years’ Truce (1609-1621)
During Philip III’s reign, achieving lasting peace with the United Provinces of Holland proved impossible, partly because the Dutch refused to recognize Isabella Clara Eugenia as their Archduchess. The Twelve Years’ Truce (signed 1609) represented a de facto recognition of independence for the northern Netherlands.
Expulsion of the Moriscos (1609-1614)
In 1609, the most notable event of Philip III’s internal policy occurred: the Expulsion of the Moriscos. The king ordered the forced removal of several hundred thousand Moriscos (descendants of Muslims who had converted to Christianity) from the Hispanic kingdoms. This occurred despite protests from the lords of Aragon and Valencia, who lost valuable subjects. The main reason for the expulsion was political, although from a religious standpoint, the Moriscos posed little danger to the Christian faith. The expulsion arguably strengthened national security but significantly weakened the economies of the affected regions.
Philip IV, Olivares, and Mid-Century Crises (1621-1665)
The Count-Duke of Olivares and His Reforms
The reform agenda of the Count-Duke of Olivares, presented upon taking power and reflected in memorials to the king (1621, 1625), contained several important ideas:
- Formation of Juntas (Boards) as specialized governing bodies, precursors to modern ministries.
- Economic measures including weak protectionism for Spanish industry.
- The most ambitious goal: legal and institutional unification across the peninsular kingdoms, aiming for greater central control.
The Union of Arms
The Count-Duke’s imperial ambitions highlighted that Castile alone could not afford new European conflicts. He sought to involve the other kingdoms through the Union of Arms, a plan to create a shared military reserve and distribute military costs proportionally among all realms. The project faced rejection, particularly in the Crown of Aragon, contributing to the revolts of 1640.
Thirty Years’ War & Peace of Westphalia (1648)
After France’s intervention in the Thirty Years’ War, the Habsburgs were defeated and forced to seek peace. In 1648, under Philip IV, the Peace of Westphalia was signed, laying the foundations for a new European balance of power in which Spain lost its hegemony, reduced to a secondary role.
The Catalan Revolt (1640-1652)
The Catalan Revolt (or Insurrection) of 1640 stemmed from Olivares’ desire to involve Catalonia in the war against France and friction between the local populace and billeted royal troops. The Viceroy, Dalmau de Queralt, Count of Santa Coloma, failed to control the situation. On June 7 (Corpus de Sang), rioters in Barcelona assassinated him. Catalonia declared itself an independent republic under French protection. The Catalan leadership sought aid from France’s Cardinal Richelieu, who demanded Louis XIII be recognized as Count of Barcelona. The revolt ended 12 years later (1652) when John of Austria defeated the Franco-Catalan forces. Catalonia returned to Spanish rule, retaining its traditional rights (fueros) and privileges.
The Separation of Portugal (1640-1668)
Refusing to contribute troops for the Catalan campaign, the Portuguese nobility deposed their Habsburg viceroy in 1640 and proclaimed the Duke of Braganza as King John IV, initiating the Portuguese Restoration War. After Olivares’ fall from power in 1643, his successor, Luis de Haro, took limited action against the rebellion, which persisted, supported by France and later England. After years of war, Portugal’s independence was formally recognized during the reign of Charles II (Treaty of Lisbon, 1668).
The Reign of Charles II (1665-1700)
Neoforalismo
Under Charles II, the monarchy accepted the distinct political structures and laws (fueros) of its various kingdoms, a policy known as Neoforalismo. Consequently, the kingdoms of the Crown of Aragon generally viewed this reign favorably compared to the centralizing efforts under Olivares. However, other parts of the peninsula, particularly Castile, experienced significant economic and demographic difficulties.
Conflict with Louis XIV & Peace of Ryswick (1697)
Despite alliances with powers like England, Austria, and Holland, who feared French hegemony, Spanish troops under the ailing Charles II struggled against the powerful French forces of Louis XIV. The Peace of Ryswick (1697) concluded the War of the League of Augsburg (Nine Years’ War), forcing Louis XIV to return most conquests made from Spain during that conflict, though the underlying issue of Spanish succession remained unresolved.