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A baroque vision of the conquest of Tunis in 1535 475

the emperor a reflection on the special attributes of the Spaniards as
soldiers:

Aquesta sí que es gente para todo,
que aunque Flandes, Italia y el Imperio
llenando de esplendor el hemisferio
encierran gente belicosa y fiera,
no sé qué tiene España que en su esfera,
los hombres, a pesar de la fortuna,
soldados nacen ya desde la cuna (p. 7) 19 .

Although he alludes to the international nature of the emperor’s
forces, the author thereby affirms the essential, Spanish nature of the
campaign – contrary to more recent sources which underscore the
expedition’s European dimension . The expression ºSpanish nature”
20
remains relevant despite the participation of the Prince of Portugal,
the Emperor’s brother-in-law. In the play, prince Louis refers to
Portugal as part of Spain. Although the union between Portugal and
the rest of the Iberian realms did not take place until 1580 and lasted
only until 1640. This identification between the neighbouring realms
is not entirely surprising nor out of place, considering the close
collaboration between the Spanish and Portuguese Monarchies over
the centuries, particularly in the military arena, in the struggle against
Islam . What Cañizares does is to further enhance the reputation of
21
Spain by making the Portuguese identify as Spaniards twice in the
play. Before going into battle, Prince Louis remarks: «My Portuguese
troops are also Spanish». It should be noted that the Emperor’s praise
for the Spaniards as excellent warriors not only served the purpose of
exalting Spanish national feelings but also contributed to build up a
picture of an Emperor who was becoming more Spanish-like in his
ways. From that perspective, the references made to the Germans,
Flemings and Italians besides adhering to reality, also provides
another ingredient for the propaganda of a campaign in which the

19 «These people are indeed good for everything, / for although Flanders, Italy and
the Empire / fill the hemisphere with splendour / and have combative and fierce
warriors, / there is something special in Spain, though I know not what this is / because
the men there, whatever their fortune, / are born soldiers». The aptitude of the
Spaniards for war is mentioned elsewhere; specifically, in the second act when just
before going into battle to take La Goleta, the author puts the following words into the
Duke of Alba’s mouth: «That which the Spaniards cannot accomplish, / do not expect
soldiers from another nation to achieve» (p. 18).
20 R. González Cuerva, M.Á. Bunes Ibarra, Túnez 1535 cit.
21 P. Cardim, Los portugueses frente a la Monarquía Hispánica, in B.J. García, A.
Álvarez-Ossorio (eds.), La Monarquía de las Naciones. Patria, nación y naturaleza en la
Monarquía de España, Fundación Carlos de Amberes, Madrid, 2004, p. 367.

Mediterranea - ricerche storiche - Anno XVII - Agosto 2020
ISSN 1824-3010 (stampa) ISSN 1828-230X (online)