Abstract

SALES-COLIN KORTAJARENA, Ostwald. The recruiting of soldiers in the Philippines by the Dominican Order: 1610-1648. Estud. Asia Áfr. [online]. 2020, vol.55, n.2, pp.357-394.  Epub Aug 10, 2020. ISSN 2448-654X.  https://doi.org/10.24201/eaa.v55i2.2504.

Although the same forms of organization tested in the Americas were replicated in the Philippines, the Spanish monarchy in Asia sought to expand and consolidate its presence through the military reinforcement of the archipelago in the first half of the seventeenth century. This paper aims to show how spheres of joint interest between the Filipino government and the Dominican Order were developed through the recruitment of soldiers in the islands, together with the difficulties encountered. The Dominicans’ role was crucial at a time when, despite their efforts, more troops were always needed. In this way, the regular clergy became the Spanish state’s armed wing in Asia, demonstrating how to some extent the bastion of religion also propped up the monarchy’s hegemonic ambitions.

Keywords : Dominican Order; Spanish monarchy; military reinforcement; Philippines; University of Santo Tomás; College of San Juan de Letrán.