Prologue: death and the sun
Part I. Eager for Heaven: Death and Testamentary Discourse in Madrid, 1520-1599: 1. Wills and the history of death in Madrid
2. Approaching the divine tribunal
3. Relinquishing one's body
4. Impressing God and neighbor
5. Planning for the soul's journey
6. Aiding the needy, aiding oneself
7. Conclusion
Part II. The King's Dissolving Body: Philip II and the Royal Paradigm of Death: 1. King Philip and his palace of death
2. The king's many requiems
3. Drawing lessons from the king's death
4. Defending the faith through ritual
5. Death, the Spanish monarchy, and the myth of sacredness
6. Conclusion
Part III. The Saint's Heavenly Corpse: Teresa of Avila and the Ultimate Paradigm of Death: 1. From Alba to Heaven
2. Come sweet death, come swift dying
3. Imperishable flesh, incomparable wonder
4. Earthbound no longer
5. Saint Teresa's apparitions
6. Conclusion
Epilogue: in death as in life: from the daily rounds of Hell to the vestibule of Heaven.
