Sex, gender, and illegitimacy in the Castilian noble family, 1400-1600 /

Focusing primarily on the implications of illegitimacy among early modern Spanish noble families, Coolidge (Grand Valley State Univ.) examines the resulting implications for illegitimate children and their biological parents. Fathers of illegitimate offspring were frequently members of the elite, whereas the mothers were often, but not always, of lesser social standing. Producing illegitimate children could improve a father's image; for a mother, it could be an impediment to her social status, it could be used to advance her status, or it could be overlooked. The fates of the children of irregular legal birth varied considerably from rejection to acceptance by their biological kin and even to legitimatization. Girls could be placed in convents; boys could be set in church careers. Arranged marriages could often solidify a family's position with other families. As the author notes, "illegitimacy was an integral part of the noble family" (p. 218). She has read widely in the historical and theoretical literature and in the archives (particularly the Archivo Histórico de la Nobleza in Toeldo) to research this study. This book fills significant gaps in the prior treatment of early modern European families and suggests new paths for further research and interpretation. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty. --William D. Phillips, emeritus, University of Minnesota