The History of Masculinities in Nineteenth-Century Spain: The Emergence of a New Historiographical Field

Abstract

This paper analyses historiographical research on masculinities in modern Spain, a new and dynamic field of study, paying particular attention to research on the nineteenth century. First, some of the most useful concepts and methods which can be employed to explore historical masculinities are examined. Second, the state of the art is reviewed and several possibilities for further research are suggested. Lastly, an analysis is conducted of duelling, a practice which provides an exceptional insight into middle and upper class normative masculinity in the nineteenth century because the debates and contradictions that often arose around duels —as reflected in a wide range of historical sources— reveal the aspirations existing at the time of men from these social classes, aspirations that hinged on the notion of honour.