The Display of Royal Ecclesiastical Power: The Palatine Chapel of Palermo (1586–1713)

Abstract

Any study of the Palatine Chapel in Palermo should take into account the two contexts of Spanish Caesaropapism in Sicily, namely a Church established by Habsburg rulers with the monarch at its head, and international relationships between the Spanish Monarchy, France, and the Holy See. This chapel, situated right at the heart of the Royal Palace – seat of both the Viceroy and the tribunals of the Kingdom – was actually a sort of miniature cathedral for the Spanish king-pope (as ecclesiastical patron and papal legate), and the fact that it was dedicated to Saint Peter clearly evoked the papal Basilica of the same name in Rome. The Palatine Chapel was indeed one of the main issues associated with the defence of royal ecclesiastical jurisdiction and precedence in Sicily, as well as the reason for all the conflicts between its members and the episcopal authorities that arose as a result. Closely linked to the latter issue was the funding of the Chapel, which had to be sufficient to maintain its personnel and the worship officiated in it in a way that celebrated the royal piety with appropriate dignity.