Lope de Barrientos

Lope de Barrientos

Lope de Barrientos (Medina del Campo, Spain, 1382 - Cuenca, Spain, 1469), sometimes called Obispo Barrientos ("Bishop Barrientos"), was a powerful clergyman and statesman of the Spanish Crown of Castile during the 15th century, although his prominence and the influence he wielded during his lifetime is not well-represented in Spanish history.

From relatively humble beginnings in Medina del Campo where he studied grammar, he took advantage of a secular custom of Castilian monarchs to selectively promote lower class court nobility to enter the service of Ferdinand I of Aragon; a capacity normally reserved only to those of high birth.

Later, using his native intelligence, Barrientos exploited every opening to climb in social rank against the backdrop of a complex political atmosphere: over his lifetime he became a Dominican friar; served as a professor of theology at the University of Salamanca (possibly the first); as the bishop of three successive cities—Segovia, Ávila, and chiefly of Cuenca The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume II (1907), abstracted in electronic form by newadvent.org. [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02308d.htm Lopez de Barrientos] . Retrieved June 10, 2006.] —as royal confessor of John II of Castile; an Inquisitor; an advisor to Henry IV of Castile; and as Chancellor of Castile. In addition, he published a series of theological treatises and tracts concerning religious problems encountered in 15th century Spain.

Biography

Barrientos was born in Medina del Campo in the year 1382, the son of Pedro Gutierre de Barrientos, a servant of Ferdinand I of Aragon, who was killed during a battle in service to the king. It is probable, though not possible to conclusively demonstrate, that his family were originally Marranos—that is, Sephardic Jews who were forced in ancient times to adopt the identity of Christians, either through coercion, or who, for form's sake, became Catholic converts in service to the Crown. He was born into the court and was treated as one of the "Infantes de Aragón" ("Princes of Aragon"; the children of Fernando I and Eleanor of Alburquerque), which explains why he was a part of—-at least at first—the internal Castilian struggles against Álvaro de Luna, the Constable of Castile, Grand Master of the military order of Santiago, and favorite of King John II.

Barrientos first studied to be a Domican Friar in Medina, then at the Convent of San Esteban in Salamanca in 1406. Following the completion of his education, he took a teaching position at the University of Salamanca, where he conducted classes in theology and philosophy. While at the University, he met and befriended another eminent figure, Juan de Torquemada. Barrientos and Torquemada had many things in common: they were both likely of Jewish origin; belonged to the Dominican Order; came from villages in the province of Valladolid; and, undoubtedly, shared ideas on the religious problem of Castile.

Barrientos was so outstanding in his teaching that in 1416 he was offered and accepted a chair at the university as professor of theology. Adding more prestige to the position, it is thought that this was the first time the University of Salamanca had endorsed this type of professorship. He remained there until 1433, when King John II nominated him to the post of royal confessor and further entrusted him with the education of his sons, Prince Henry (who would go on to become "the Impotent" King) and later, Prince Alfonso (b. 1453 - d. 1468).

Barrientos was appointed an Inquisitor during this time, and in 1438, he was elected Bishop of Segovia. On May 3, 1440 a church council was convened in the Church of San Miguel of Turégano, at which he presented his synodal commandments for the theological and pastoral formation of his clergymen. Being loyal to John II, in 1442 he reformed the diocese of Segovia, which had been under the influence of the rebellious prince Henry, to serve the province of Ávila in supporting the King. Later, he engineered a conciliation in the Tordesillas area to create a joint front in the face of the opposition of the Kingdoms of Navarre and Aragon. In 1444 he occupied the diocese of Cuenca and in the following year he lent the diocese's aid to the region's troops in the battle of Olmedo. Similarly, in 1449, he pledged the arms of the diocese in defense against the troops of don Alonso de Aragón and other Castilian noblemen who opposed the king. One offered him the archbishopric seat of Santiago de Compostela, but he rejected this enticement.Catholic Encyclopedia.]

Despite his important religious responsibilities, Bishop Barrientos never neglected his duty to the state, serving throughout his career as adviser first to John II, later to Henry IV, and possibly as an instructor of the future Queen and then stepsister of the king, Isabella of Castile as well as being named tutor to John II's youngest son, prince Alphonsus in the King's will.Catholic Encyclopedia.] From his privileged position of confidence it is likely that he decisively influenced their politics, as the religious policy views of all three monarchs closely resembled Barrientos' known theological policy leanings. Nevertheless, Barrientos deplored both kings for their sheepishness, and it is likely he conspired against Henry IV before his crowning given his close relationship with the Princes of Aragón.

His work as man of state was as discreet as it was fundamental. He worked (or plotted) in close proximity to John II, at first as a partisan supporter of the Princes of Aragón, but later as a faithful follower of John II, once he became king. Ultimately, he became a very powerful and rich man despite the vow of poverty associated with the Dominican Order.

Although Álvaro de Luna had been a favorite of John II, acting as one of his main advisors, and wielded great power as Grand Master of the military order of Santiago, The king's second wife, Isabel de Portugal, was offended at the immense influence of the constable, and urged her husband to free himself from slavery to his favorite. In 1453 the king succumbed; Álvaro was arrested, tried and condemned. He was executed at Valladolid on 2 June, 1453. Barrientos stepped into the power vacuum, replacing Luna in the government of Castile until the death of John II just a year later. Following the crowning of Henry IV, Barrientos separated to some extent from the affairs of the state over disagreements with the new monarch. Despite his eventful political life, he still had time to found diverse convent houses—the "Hospital de San Sebastián de Cuenca" and "Nuestra Señora de la Piedad de Medina del Campo"—and to write numerous books, reflecting his adherence to the philosophy of scholasticism. Barrientos died in Cuenca on May 30, 1469 and was laid to rest in the second of the two convents he founded.

Activities as inquisitor and policy on conversion

At the end of 15th century, a wide sector of Spanish society held hostile views toward Jews; as the Franciscan, Alphonso de Spina explains in his treatise, Fortalitium Fidei: "Entraron, ¡oh Señor!, en tu rebaño los lobos rapaces. Nadie piensa en los pérfidos judíos, que blasfeman de tu nombre" (They entered your flock, oh Lord!, as greedy wolves. Nobody thinks about the perfidious Jews, who blaspheme in your name).

By contrast, there were influential Spaniards who decried these attitudes—at least toward "converted" Jews (some of them being converts themselves) —such as Díaz de Toledo, Alonso de Cartagena, Lope Barrientos and Juan de Torquemada (the uncle of the inquisitor). Benzion Netanyahu, a noted writer on 15th century Spanish affairs, affirms that when the converted Spaniards were persecuted, they were "determined to fight fire with fire, the Marranos enlisted in their support men of courage and brilliance, such as Lope de Barrientos..." [cite book
last = Netanyahu
first =Benzion
year = 2001
title = The Origins of the Inquisition in Fifteenth-Century Spain
publisher = New York Review of Books
location = Page 568
id = ISBN 0-940322-39-0
] .

In fact, Barrientos wrote a number of tracts defending Jews; in one he recognized that it is "posible es que aya algunos, pero puesto que ansy sea, injusta e inhumana cosa sería todo el linaje dellos manzellar nin diffamar" (possible that there are some deserving of condemnation, but even if that is the case, it would be unjust and cruel to debase and defame all people of Jewish heritage). Thanks to his position as inquisitor and the influence that title conferred upon him, he was able to contact Pope Nicholas V regarding the issue. In 1449 he obtained a favorable response; according to Barrientos, the Pontiff "había mandado que no se hiciera ninguna discriminación entre los nuevos convertidos a la fe y los cristianos viejos en la recepción y tenencia de honores, dignidades y oficios, tanto eclesiásticos como seculares" (ordered him not to discriminate between new converts to the faith and old Christians in the reception and tenancy of honors, dignities and offices, both ecclesiastical and secular). [ cite book
last = Moraleja Pinilla
first = Gerardo
year = 1942
title = Historia de Medina del Campo
publisher = Edited by Manuel Mateo Fernández
id = Legal registration number: VA-671-1971
]

Lope de Barrientos, went so far as to make sure that he was descended from converted Jews. However, the research's aim was to establish himself as an old Christian [ cite book
last = Netanyahu
first = Benzion
year = 2001
title = The Origins of the Inquisition in Fifteenth-Century Spain
publisher = New York Review of Books
location = Page 612
id = ISBN 0-940322-39-0
] , with the goal of using this evidence to strengthen his ideological position: to defend converted Jews, but to attack unconverted Jews.

Despite his laudable defense of converted Jews, Barrientos and, in general, the Dominican Order, supported the prohibition of Judaism in Castile. His stance was that the Judeo-Spaniards had to convert or leave, and they defended that ideology until Tomás de Torquemada, the grand inquisitor, convinced Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon to act. In 1492 the Alhambra Decree issued, which mandated the expulsion of all Jews from Spain and its territories and possessions by July 31, 1492.:"Further information: Spanish Inquisition" Another campaign Barrientos took up with the king was the prosecution of Enrique de Villena, whom he charge with witchcraft and necromancy. Villena was a man of letters who wrote on diverse topics, was a translator (most notably of Virgil's "Aeneid"), a surgeon, and it is possible that he collected books in Hebrew and Arabic; such pursuits automatically turned him into a suspected heretic. Although John II was himself a man of innovative ideas and one of the more cultured people of his age, like many of the era, he distrusted intellectuals, and, in response to Barrientos' suit, condemned Enrique de Villena to prison. These events are well attested in unpublished works authored by Barrientos, which still exist in Salamanca such as his "Tratado de caso e fortuna" (Treatise on Prophesies [SpanishIndex.com (date of copyright unknown). " [http://www.spanisharts.com/books/literature/i_projii.htm 15th Century: Prose in the Age of Juan II] ". Retrieved June 7, 2006.] ).

After Villena died in jail in 1434, king John II entrusted his library to Barrientos for investigation. Barrientos ordered the majority of the manuscripts burned, but preserved a few. [cite book
last = García de Santamaría
first = Álvar
year = circa 1450
title = Crónica de Juan II
publisher = Madrid: Biblioteca Nacional
location = Page 420ss
id = Chapter 8, 9445
]

The poet, Juan de Mena (1411–1456), a chronicler of King John II's life, skewered Barrientos for these deeds in his "Laberinto de fortuna" ("Labyrinth of Fortune"), a 300 octave poem which explicitly mirrors the form of Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy: [SpanishArt.com (2006). " [http://www.spanisharts.com/books/literature/i_cancionero.htm Medieval Spanish Poetry: Cancionero] ". Retrieved June 16, 2006.]


After the battle, Álvaro de Luna immediately initiated contact with Charles of Viana, to lend him aid in the civil war then brewing in Navarre between Charles and his stepfather, the king of Aragon. John II of Aragon ultimately defeated his stepson, and, in retaliation for de Luna's aid, in 1449 he again invaded Castilian territory, this time laying siege to Cuenca with the help of a the city's chief warder, the traitor Diego de Mendoza. Barrientos was by this time the bishop of Cuenca, and faithful to John II of Castile. Accordingly, he personally organized the defense of the city. With the help of the locals, they held back the enemy long enough for Constable de Luna to arrive with reinforcements. The invaders were eventually repelled.

The demands placed on surrounding cities to support the liberation of Cuenca led to some discord. Some citizens of the city of Toledo, for instance, were supporters of John II of Aragon and the citizenry in general resented Álvaro de Luna's call for additional tax collection to support the liberation effort. In a fit of pique, led by the City's chief warder, Pedro Sarmiento, who had for years sought to expel Toledo's converted Jews, several high ranking tax collectors of Jewish extraction were executed. After the Navarrese were routed from Cuenca, so too fled the hopes of Toledo's malcontents, who were left with no options left but to deliver the city to the Constable. Pedro Sarmiento, however, had other plans, leading a mob in sacking and setting fire to the city's Jewish quarter. [Fuenterrebollo.com (2006). " [http://www.fuenterrebollo.com/faqs-numismatica/expulsion-judios.html Expulsión Judíos (1492)] ". Retrieved June 21, 2006.] Soon thereafter, in conciliation to Álvaro de Luna, Pedro Sarmiento was put on trial by the city for the murders and pillaging committed at his instigation.

Lope de Barrientos political star kept on rising. Upon the death of Álvaro de Luna in 1453, he was appointed Chancellor of Castile, thus becoming the preeminent political figure of the region under the King. Just a year later, however, John II of Castile died and was succeeded by Henry IV. Barrientos did not fare well opposite the new king, whom he considered ineffectual and lacking in character. Henry IV was known as "the impotent" for his unconsummated marriage to Blanca of Navarre. Barrientos scoffed at Henry for his failure to act in the face of rumors impugning his character, such as the infidelity of the queen with one of his confidants, and talk of his homosexuality.

Frustrated with the King, and then in his 70s, Barrientos decided to retire from politics and to concentrate on the management of his diocese in Cuenca; a path he followed until the day of his death in 1469.:"see also: Crisis of the Late Middle Ages"

Writings

Because the majority of Lope de Barrientos' writings are of a theological bent and addressed to issues of his era, they are more the province of scholarly study today, than of general interest. The major portion of his work is addressed to the ideological modernization of the Hispanic Church. He penned a number of treatises on the Sacraments (all in Latin), a compendium of moral theology and a Book of laws with which he hoped to contribute to the enrichment of canonical law.

*"Clavis Sapientiae": Barrientos' earliest extant work—a theological philosophy encyclopedia of the epoch. Although no originals survive, a hand-written copy is held by the national Library of Madrid.

*"Opusculum super intellectu quorumdam verborum cuiusdam decreti contenti in volumine decretorum, ubi Gratianus, tractans de materia sacrilegii, XVII, q. III, ait: sacrilegii quoque reatum incurrit, qui iudaeis publica officia committit": A discussion of the social, religious, racial and doctrinal problem that, according to Lope de Barrientos, were provoked by Jews. For him, the most suitable solution was their segregation, and, if possible, their expulsion (which would occur just a few years later, partly at his instigation). Some manuscripts survive in good condition; a few in the hands of private parties and others in various cathedral archives.

*"Index latinus ad sancti Antonini, Archiepiscopi Florentini, Summam Theologicam": Manuscript preserved in the file of the Cathedral of Segovia.

He also wrote several, less specialized manuscripts in Spanish, but intended for an educated audience. [cite book
last = Menéndez y Pelayo
first = Marcelino
year = 2003
title = Historia de los heterodoxos españoles
publisher = Alicante: [http://www.cervantesvirtual.com/FichaObra.html?Ref=836 Biblioteca Virtual Miguel de Cervantes]
id = Digital edition based in Madrid, La Editorial Católica, 1978. ISBN 84-7914-482-3
]

*"Crónica del halconero" (1454): A chronicle chiefly of the life of John II of Castile, as well as of the writer, Álvar García of Santamaría. [cite book
last = Carriazo Arroquia
first = Juan de M
year = 1946
title = Refundición de la Crónica del Halconero por el obispo don Lope Barrientos
publisher = Espasa-Calpe, Madrid
id = |
]

*"Contra algunos zizañadores de la nación de los convertidos del pueblo de Israel" (1445–1451) ("In opposition to those who agitate against converted Israeli people"): A defense of Spanish Jewish converts. The Library of the University of Salamanca has one copy and another copy from the 17th century is in the National Library of Madrid.

*"Tratado de caso e fortuna" ("Treatise on Prophesies"): Written at the request of John II of Castile while Barrientos was bishop of Cuenca, it is purely scholastic and discursive, with excessive reliance on Aristotelian teachings and little original material. It was published in 1927 in Salamanca, but there are ancient copies in: the National Library of Madrid dating to 1549; another in the British Museum in London dating to the 15th century; and a last copy in the Library of the University of Salamanca.

*"Tractado del dormir et despertar et del soñar et de las adevinanças et agüeros et profeçía" ("Treatise on sleeping and waking; of dreaming and of divinations; of presages and prophecies"): Consists of six treatises created at the behest of John II, following his satisfaction with the "Tratado de caso e fortuna", and displays a similar orthodox form. It attempts to distinguish divinely inspired dreams concerning biblical scripture and biblical figures such as Joseph, from dreams that are nothing more than dreams. It also explores the Christian theory of the prophet and the omens and riddles presented in the Bible. The British Museum of London has a number of well preserved copies. There is one hand-written copy dating from 1559 held by the National Library of Madrid and a few more in the University of Salamanca library dating from the 15th century.

*"Tractado de la divinança" ("Treatise on divination"): Thought to be a manipulated summary of a book from the library of Enrique de Villena, but nonetheless considered Barrientos' most important work, it is a didactic sermon with philosophical pretensions that explores theories of philosophy which deny the possibility of divination, contrasting them with the religious sphere where many have been directly affected by divine intervention, as well as by the influence of evil spirits. In order to demonstrate that malignant spirits can influence the lives of men, he explores the Genesis story of Eve and the serpent in the Garden of Eden. He arrives at the conclusion that the "Artes Mágicas" (Magical Arts) were birthed by Cain, who wrote a manuscript he denominates the "Libro Raziel" (Book of Raziel), from which all magicians and their powers are derived. Although in general Barrientos thought that "casi siempre frívolas y de ninguna eficacia" (they are almost always frivolous and ineffectual), he nevertheless concludes that their eradication is necessary. [cite book
last = Cuenca Muñoz
first = Paloma
year = 1994
title = Tratado de la divinança de Lope de Barrientos
publisher = 1st edition. [http://www.cuenca.org/ Ayuntamiento de Cuenca] , Cuenca
id = ISBN 84-86788-28-5|
]

Foundations and legacies

John II of Castile bestowed on Barrientos the dominions of "Pascualcobo" and "Serranos de la Torre" in Ávila, on which he built a number of estates in diverse towns. In 1451 he ordered construction of the castle of "Serranos de la Torre", presently known as the "Torrejón de los Serranos". [cite book
last = Gómez Izquierdo
first = Agustín
year = 2000
title = Introducción a la historia de Zapardiel de la Cañada
publisher = Inédito
location = pages 80-81
] Like other prominent clergyman, he devoted himself to all manner of benefactions, scholarships and other forms of charitable legacies. Some fringe historians have proposed that Lope de Barrientos founded the University Hospital of Salamanca, but there is little evidence to support this hypothesis. [cite book
last = Hernández Martín
first = Ramón
year = 2004
title = [http://angarmegia.com/tomismo_medieval_espana_2.htm Tomismo medieval en España, 2ª parte]
publisher = [http://angarmegia.com/ramon_hernandez.htm Anargmenia, Ciencia, cultura y educación]
id =
] Among his charitable works, these stand out:

*The "Hospital de la Piedad" in Medina del Campo; where Barrientos was born and where he was laid to rest in its funeral chapel. He bequeathed funds to the hospital to support its continuing charitable work in aiding the indigent and needy and for support of several doctors and clergymen friendly to his diocese. Also in Medina del Campo, Barrientos directed construction of three shrines and funded the enlargement of the "convento dominico de San Andrés" (Dominican convent of San Andrés).

*Outside of his hometown, he emphasizes the construction of the "Hospital de San Sebastián", in Cuenca, and a hermitage in Salamanca also consecrated to Saint Sebastian, in the convent of "Peña de Francia". Neither of these foundations survive today.

References

Notes

Other references


*cite book
last = Benito Ruano
first = Eloy
year = 2001
title = [http://www.cervantesvirtual.com/servlet/SirveObras/12470621982366174794568/p0000001.htm Los orígenes del problema converso]
publisher = Alicante: [http://www.cervantesvirtual.com/ Biblioteca Virtual Miguel de Cervantes]
id = Digital edition based in Madrid, Real Academia de la Historia, 2001

*cite book
last = González Alonso–Getino
first = Luis
year = 1927
title = Vida y obras de Fr. Lope de Barrientos
publisher = Collection “Anales Salmantinos"
edition = Universidad de Salamanca
id =

*cite book
last = Menéndez Pelayo
first = Marcelino
year = 2003
title = [http://www.cervantesvirtual.com/FichaObra.html?Ref=836 Historia de los heterodoxos españoles]
publisher = Alicante: [http://www.cervantesvirtual.com/ Biblioteca Virtual Miguel de Cervantes]
id = Digital edition based in Madrid, La Editorial Católica, 1978. ISBN 84-7914-482-3

*cite book
last = Mariana
first = padre
year = 1592
title = Historia de rebus Hispaniae
publisher = Toledo
id =

*cite book
last = Martínez Casado
first = Ángel
year = 1994
title = Lope de Barrientos. Un intelectual en la corte de Juan II
publisher = Editorial San Esteban, Salamanca
id = ISBN 84-87557-85-6

ee also

* Crisis of the Late Middle Ages
* Spanish Inquisition
* Dominican Order

External links


* cite book
last = Benito Ruano
first = Eloy
year = 2001
title = [http://www.cervantesvirtual.com/servlet/SirveObras/12470621982366174794568/p0000001.htm Los orígenes del problema converso]
publisher = Alicante: [http://www.cervantesvirtual.com/ Biblioteca Virtual Miguel de Cervantes]
id = Digital edition based in Madrid, Real Academia de la Historia, 2001

* cite book
last = Hernández Martín
first = Ramón
year = 2004
title = [http://angarmegia.com/tomismo_medieval_espana_2.htm Tomismo medieval en España, 2nd part]
publisher = [http://angarmegia.com/ramon_hernandez.htm Anargmenia, Ciencia, cultura y educación]
id =

* cite book
last = Menéndez y Pelayo
first = Marcelino
year = 2003
title = [http://www.cervantesvirtual.com/FichaObra.html?Ref=836 Historia de los heterodoxos españoles]
publisher = Alicante: [http://www.cervantesvirtual.com/ Biblioteca Virtual Miguel de Cervantes]
id = Digital edition based in Madrid, La Editorial Católica, 1978. ISBN 84-7914-482-3

* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02308d.htm Lope de Barrientos in the Catholic Encyclopedia]

*En icon [http://www.museoferias.net/museum_of_the_fairs.htm Museum of the Fairs, where Barrientos' funeral portrait is held]


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