Studying in the School of Salamanca

Europe was changing rapidly in the 16th century. The advance of humanism and the Protestant Reformation offered challenges to the Church’s authority and the very idea of what it meant to be both a Christian and a human being made in the image of God. Meanwhile, the Spanish Empire was expanding, and the complexity of its administration grew along with the military and bureaucratic power of the kingdom. For years, the arrival of gold and silver from the Americas created a vast economic resource that enabled an increased growth in government without adding new taxes or indebtedness. As expenses grew and imports declined, however, the kingdom began to face significant economic challenges and mounting financial commitments. Read Full Article »