Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile were married in 1469. The unity of the major kingdoms of Aragon and Castille, joined huge swaths of land of a fragmented set of minor kingdom across Spain, helping elevate Spain into a world power. Their union brought stability to both kingdoms. The duo’s accomplishments during their reign continue to impact the modern world today. Their united kingdoms resumed the Reconquest against the South, controlled by the Moors, and instituted the brutal Inquisition. Both Ferdinand and Isabella gained the qualities and skills that were needed to lead a nation. Establishing treaties and joining kingdoms took charisma, ruthlessness and persistence, traits which both Ferdinand and Isabella demonstrated throughout …show more content…
Ferdinand succeeded his father in Aragon earlier in the same year; the next step was to join Castile to Aragon. The united states of Castile and Aragon were sealed with the marriage of Isabella and Ferdinand. The partnership insured religious unity as well as political unity. Ferdinand and Isabella were both imbued with the spirit and rituals of Catholic orthodoxy, consolidating Spain under the unifying fabric of Catholic Church. First, they ruthlessly moved to rid Spain of Jews and Moors. They agreed on wanting the Jews out, either by burning them alive when they wouldn’t convert, or by expelling them from Spain. The edict of 1492 banished the entire population of nonconverted Jews. “...we ordered the separation of the said Jews in all the cities, towns and villages of our kingdoms and lordships and {commanded} that they be given Jewish quarters and separated places where they should live…” Spain wanted to spread Catholicism throughout Spain, eliminating the Muslims, Jews, or anyone who didn’t convert to catholicism . The Spanish Inquisition was intended to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms and to replace the Medieval Inquisition, which was under Papal (Italian) control, creating a “Spanish” Catholic church rather than an “Italian” Catholic church. Their ruthlessness created a nation of Spaniards who all believed in the same Catholic rituals, rites and
Although the couple were really especially known for sending explorers like Christopher Columbus abroad, that actually is not their most effective achievement. Their most effective achievement was 10-year bloodbath of a war that was called the Granada War. Their main focus was to rid Spain entirely of its Muslim population. Ferdinand and Isabella took their Christian faith to the next level just to do so. In January of the year of 1442 they were successful, as they were able to wipe out the Muslims (PBS).
In Middle Aged Europe, feudalism and the Catholic Church dominated what was left of a central government. People lived without leadership, and those who did turned only to small based feudal Lords with little power. This led to a serious lack of intellectual activity and many of the Europeans during this era were considered to be, “wallowing in their own filth.” As a result, the Black Death spread rampantly after its initiation in 1348. Several accounts of the disease portrayed it as a horrendous, deadly and disgusting disease that preyed on every man woman and child. Angelo di Tura chronicles the outbreak of the Black Death in the Italian city of Siena in May of 1348. He writes, “There are not words to describe how horrible these events have been [...] whoever can say that they have not lived in utterly horrid conditions can consider themselves lucky” remarking at how terrible life with
Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain were the duo monarchs of the new nation of Spain, brought together by their families' lands of Argon and Castille. Ferdinand of Argon, son of John II of Argon, rose to power through his marriage to Isabella of Castille. Isabella of Castille was the daughter of King John I, of Castille. After King John I died, her older brother was the next heir I'm line, King Henry IV. When King Henry IV was seen unfit to rule by nobles, he was pushed aside to let his younger half-brother Alfonso take the throne. Fortunately, at least for Isabella, Alfonso soon after died of the plague, and had named her his successor in his will. This king and queen brought together their people firstly by completing the Reconquista, the expulsion of people practicing Muslim and Judism, to unify their nation under the religion of Roman Cathlioc. Although this couple's greatest achievement was their funding towards Christopher Columbus who ultimately found the New World. Through this, and their "claim" of it, Spain grew prostperous through the collection and mineing of silver and gold. This also lead to colonization and tr...
Spain had been the greatest power in the 1500s in Europe.The defeat of the Spanish Armada is one of the most famous events in English history. It was one of Queen Elizabeth's greatest accomplishments.
When she was about to become Queen, she had to get some things straight with her father. He had made a treaty, which is like a contract. On the treaty, he gave her many rights normal women would never have. The first right was to let Isabella be a legal heir since her brother was, too. Right #2 was the award of seven cities including Avila, her hometown. Last, but certainly not least, she was to marry whoever she chooses (Leon 77). When she was about 20, she married her second cousin, Fernando and he was roughly three inches shorter than she.
Before Columbus landed in the West Indies in 1492, The Spanish Inquisition made it known to anyone within Spain’s domain of influence that if a person was not of the Catholic religion, they were to be punished severely and sometimes even fatally. This influence would undoubtedly be brought over to the Americas a century later, as the colonization of the New World would begin by then. While it was very essential for the Spanish (as well as the Portuguese) to improve their economy by using the resources they found in Latin America, it seemed to a number of them as if that was the only reason for being there, or the main reason at the very least. During the Spanish Inquisition and from that point after, it was the Pope’s main goal, to convert everyone to Roman Catholicism; an opportune moment arrived as the Americas were found, along with the Natives who resided there who were waiting to be converted.
Historians and scholars often overlook the part that women played in the Renaissance. Did women have a Renaissance? The period did not occur in a male only vacuum; women played an important part in the changes taking place across Europe. No matter a woman’s station in the class system, women, were still considered the sinful daughter of Eve, the downfall of man. Into this world stepped Isabella d’Este, one of the great women of the Renaissance.
The palace of Versailles was built by King Louis XIV of France and the Escorial was built by King Philip II of Spain. The two kings each had their differences about their beliefs on how to rule, yet there are some similarities. Louis XIV believed in showing off his power and being open. Philip II was a simplistic guy devoted to Catholicism. They both had military to spread their beliefs and ideas. Despite the kings’ beliefs, their palaces reflected their ideals.
With the Isabella and Ferdinand’s marriage, they unified Spain and created a super kingdom. Isabella and Ferdinand became the first monarchs of Spain and also considered Catholic Monarchs. Together, Isabella and Ferdinand organized the Spanish Inquisition. This was in hopes of erasing the Jews and Muslims, primarily, from Spain. By 1492, any Jews and Muslims had the decision to convert to Christianity or be exiled from Spain. This created a sense of power and sustainability for the people of Spain, in their rulers. The authority that Isabella and Ferdinand had achieved gained attention from the Pope. The Pope then assisted in their decisions to spread Christianity throughout the united kingdom of
Queen Isabella is famous for two events in her lifetime: The Spanish Inquisition and funding Christopher Columbus’ journey that led to the discovery of America. Isabelle and Ferdinand courageously led Spain throughout the late 15th and early 16th centuries. During this time, the two ruled two halves of Spain. Ferdinand was ruler of Aragon and Isabella ruled Castile. The partnership earned the title of the “Catholic Monarch” due to their role in the Inquisition.
A quote from an article on Britannica.com says: “the two sovereigns were certainly united in aiming to end the long process of Reconquista by taking over the kingdom of Granada--the last Muslim stronghold in Spain.” The conquest of Granada began in 1482, lasting until 1492. The conquest was no easy win, and it lasted for a long time, also straining Castile’s finances. Some features of the campaign were medieval, and some of them were new. Isabella had a keen eye to the goings of war. She seems to have been responsible for improved methods of supply, and the establishment of a military hospital. In 1491 she and Ferdinand set up headquarters at Santa Fe, close to Granada, until Granada finally fell on January 2nd of the following
The Ottomans and Spanish built flourishing empires based on different philosophies from 1450 to 1800. The Ottoman and Spanish were two powerful empires during that time. During the building of the two empires, the Spanish and the Ottoman both developed similarities in their social, political, and economic structures. The Ottoman took control of Europe, while the Spanish saw it as easy to monitor new lands. The different tactics employed made the both empires flourish. For instance, the Spanish were not tolerant of religion. They conquered other areas with the aim of converting Christians to Islam, if they refused, they would be killed. On the other hand, the Ottoman leaders incorporated leaders of diverse culture
From 711-1492, Christian Spaniards lived under Moorish rule until eventually, the Christian Kingdoms took over during the Reconquista. The conflicts between the Muslims and Christians created a militaristic culture in Spain that surpassed that of any other European nation. Furthermore, being trained militarily was often exclusively attributed to the nobility however, in Spain, “many young men knew these skills and used them to their advantage.” Without a doubt, recently reconquering their homeland motivated the Spanish to a basis for expansion and conquest that most other European societies were lacking. In addition, the voyages of Christopher Columbus led to discovering the New World which undoubtedly contributed to added interest in conquest. Eventually, each conquest further raised Spanish hopes for fame and
Before the marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella, the Moors were in control of much of the Iberian Peninsula. They desperately wanted to unite Spain and turn it into a Christian nation (“Isabella and Ferdinand”). Isabella carefully concocted a plan that would progress her ambition. She proposed to Ferdinand that they marry, which would unify Castile and Aragon, and kick-start the unification of Spain (“Ferdinand V”).
A Vanished World: Muslims, Christians, and Jews in Medieval Spain is survey medieval Spain, where Christians, Jews, and Muslims once lived side by side and the Muslims were in charge. The book tries to lead the reader to the conclusion that there is indeed a historical precedent for the three major religions establishing a beneficially symbiotic relationship which may be an enduring lesson for coexistence. The author, Chris Lowney, is an ex-Jesuit and holds degrees in medieval history and philosophy.