Court Etiquette for the Viceroys: The Marquises of La Laguna, from the Court of Madrid to the Court of Mexico

Abstract

This article addresses the baptism of Don José de la Cerda y Manrique, son of the viceroy of New Spain, the marquis of La Laguna, and his spouse, the countess of Paredes, in 1683. In contrast to previous baptisms of children born to the viceroys and seemingly going against the guidelines established by the royal court in Madrid, the ceremonial employed for his baptism was transposed almost exactly from that used for the baptism of the monarch, Charles II of Spain in 1661. The article analyses the royal baptismal ceremony used at the Spanish court with regard to its most significant artistic and symbolic elements. Attention is then turned to the splendid ritual organized by the cathedral chapter of the City of Mexico. The article argues that the Countess’ participation in the ceremony held in Madrid in 1661 influenced her to urge the Mexican authorities to stage her son’s baptism in a similar form.