Arias Montano and Clemens Anglus

On Philip II’s instructions, the Spanish humanist Benito Arias Montano arrived in the Netherlands on 15 May, 1568. The Spanish king had commissioned his chaplain to supervise and print a new edition of the so-called Polyglot Bible. This paper argues that during Arias Montano’s stay in the Spanish Netherlands (until 1575), he was exposed to the importance and popularity of Thomas More, a catalytic icon for all English recusants in terms of their religious vindications. This aspect of the Spaniard’s life has never been addressed, but may be supported by the evidence provided in this paper. What is more, the presence of John Clement (Thomas More’s pupil and friend) in the Netherlands and his possible meeting with Arias Montano further strengthens this claim.