The Plague Files: Crisis Management in Sixteenth-Century Seville

16. Bulls and Jousting

1. AMS, sec. 10, 1581 [2] (14 August). 16 bulls and jousting Let us organize a festival of bulls and jousting. —martín gutiérrez cerón N ews of seville’s good fortune and improving health reached the Court, and King Philip conveyed to the city his satisfaction upon learning of “the relief from the sickness of the plague for which he gives thanks.” The royal missive arrived at city hall on 14 August, and it might have inspired Seville’s chief justice and plague deputy, Martín Gutiérrez Cerón, to propose a “general procession of thanksgiving,” since God had given the city health, and to suggest that the council “organize a festival of bulls and jousting” to entertain the people. Gutiérrez Cerón’s proposal met with enthusiasm, as most councilors must have welcomed a distraction from the never-ending crises. Don Gerónimo de Montalvo recommended that six officials meet with the Count of Villar to choose a suitable day for the festivities. Don Gerónimo suggested that they should also indicate “the leaders [cuadrilleros] and how many squadrons [cuadrillas ] there should be.”He specified“that the dress be made of taffeta”and proposed that the city provide the attire as well as “the bulls and furnishing of the plaza, and the music.”1 Martín Gutiérrez Cerón concurred, though he felt that “the festivities cannot stretch beyond this month.”Don Pedro Tello de Guzmán wholeheartedly agreed with both of his colleagues and added that the squadron leaders should come “from among the caballeros of the city council.” Diego Ortiz Melgarejo enthusiastically endorsed the idea and, as always, presented his fellow council members with detailed input on numerous aspects of the festivity. First came the clothing. The veinticuatro recommended that bulls and jousting | 121 2. A vara is equal to approximately eighty-four centimeters. “each player be given fourteen varas of taffeta and three-quarters of a vara of velvet for a bonnet.”2 The fabric was to be turned over to the cuadrillero of each team, in the amount “necessary for his squadron,” to have the uniforms sewn. Ortiz Melgarejo further specified that no one’s attire could be embroidered: “they can only wear borders and frogging of silver and pure or false gold and flowers.” When he finished attiring the cuadrillas, the alderman turned his attention to the bulls: “Let there be twelve, and to the liking of Melchior de Baena.” He also set the number of participants: there should be “eight leaders and each squadron should have six players,” and he concurred with Don Pedro Tello de Guzmán that “those of the cabildo should be preferred above all others.” Next, Ortiz Melgarejo asked Don Gerónimo de Montalvo“to do the city the honor to negotiate with residents of the plaza to provide windows to the players , and each player should be given one.” Windows and balconies facing the plaza were a coveted commodity whenever any spectacle took place; the players ’ family and friends would be guaranteed an excellent view of the action. Always concerned with the protocol to be observed in public ceremonies, the indefatigable veinticuatro admonished Bartolomé de Hoces “to carefully prepare the gallery” and to ensure “that no person regardless of his position or quality entered the gallery until His Lordship the Count had entered.” Ortiz Melgarejo reminded everyone that“the stage should be made in front of the cabildo in the order that is normally followed so that His Lordship and the Countess and the other ladies could be there.” In conclusion, Ortiz Melgarejo indicated that he and Bartolomé de Hoces would take out the silk hangings and “distribute them and adorn the plaza along with Melchior de Baena.” Diego Caballero de Cabrera spoke next and voiced some reservations. He was preoccupied with maintaining good relations with the city’s ecclesiastical authorities, who might not be too enthusiastic about secular celebrations. He proposed sending Juan Yáñez de Perea, Melchior de Baena, and two other councilmen to speak with the“prelates and convents”of the city regarding processions . They were to tell the churchmen that they had held a procession of thanksgiving and to inquire whether they could also have “processions with a Mass.” He believed “that for now no other issue should be dealt with.” Another 122 | the plague files 3. AMS, sec. 10, 1581 [2]. 4...