The private life of the Divino Fernando de Herrera: family, estate and a change of name

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to provide a documentary reassessment of Fernando de Herrera (1534-1597) through a systematic analysis of the parish records of San Andrés and the nota-rial protocols preserved in the Provincial Historical Archive of Seville, addressing in particular the problems of identification arising from homonymy and onomastic variation. This research makes it possible to clarify Herrera’s status as a presbyter and holder of a servidero benefice inherited from his uncle Juan Suárez, as well as to contextualize the role played by his brother Alonso de Herrera in the effective administration of the liturgical obligations attached to the benefice. The documentation further reveals the alternating use of the names Fernando de Herrera and Hernán López in specific notarial contexts, compelling a reconsideration of archival attribution criteria and suggesting a fun-ctional segmentation of identity between the literary sphere and the economic management of ec-clesiastical revenues. Finally, the analysis of leases associated with the body of parish beneficiaries allows for the reconstruction of the material basis of his activity and reinforces the image of a Herrera who deliberately prioritized his literary career over ecclesiastical advancement.