Political Engagement and Popular Print in Spanish Naples (1503-1707)

An exploration of the printing industry of Naples during the Spanish Viceroyalty (1503-1707). The focus is on popular print and how it was used by the Spanish authorities to shape the public opinion of the citizens of Naples.

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What was published in Naples during the Spanish Vicerealm? What Neapolitan people read or were exposed to and how this literary production contributed to the construction of a politically-informed population? This book aims to answer these questions by going back to the sources, using new and previously ignored archival material and printed documents. What emerges is a vivid pictures of a vibrant printing industry and rich cultural landscape. The three moments of crisis of the 17th century – Vesuvius eruption, Masaniello’s revolt and the plague epidemic – are used as a test of the capability of the Spanish authorities when it came to political and propagandistic communication.