Puzzles and Posts: Reconstructing Robert Persons' Correspondence with Claudio Acquaviva, 1589-1592
Date
2019
Authors
Houliston, Victor
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS
Abstract
The early English Jesuit leader Robert Persons (1546–1610) was sent to Spain in 1588 by the superior general of the Society, Claudio Acquaviva. His commission was to negotiate with King Philip II over the authority structures of the Jesuits in Spain. Besides conducting these negotiations, Persons founded English seminaries in Valladolid (1589) and Seville (1592). This article examines the extant correspondence between Persons and Acquaviva during this period, reconstructing the missing letters as far as possible. In the process, we learn a great deal about the correspondence network, the use of posts, the dating and confidentiality of letters, and the choice of language.
Description
Keywords
Robert Persons , Correspondence , Claudio Acquaviva
Citation
Victor Houliston, 'Puzzles and Posts: Reconstructing Robert Persons' Correspondence with Claudio Acquaviva, 1589-1592', In die Skriflig 53(2), a2488. https://doi.org/ 10.4102/ids.v53i2.2488