Prophecy as Diplomacy

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the period immediately before the expulsion of Moriscos that occurred from 1601 to 1605. It examines several attempts by the Moriscos to secure help from Henry IV of France for an uprising planned for the Kingdoms of Valencia and Aragon. This chapter traces communications between the French and the Moriscos and captures the moment of agony when the Moriscos were banished from their homes and sent off to unknown lands with the expulsion decrees of 1609 and 1610. It also analyzes the incident of the ringing of the Bell of Velilla, which was considered a miraculous occurrence that spread to Italy and France. The ringing of the bell anticipated an imminent threat to Spain, that the Moriscos of Aragon and Valencia were going to rebel.