The Catholic Monarchs: Reign and Unification of Spain
Machiavelli’s *The Prince*: Advice for Rulers
What advice does Machiavelli give to rulers in The Prince?
Niccolò Machiavelli advises rulers to do what is necessary, without concern for morality. He suggests that rulers must be willing to be cruel if it serves their purpose. The central idea is that “the end justifies the means.”
Division of the Iberian Peninsula in the 15th Century
How was the Iberian Peninsula divided into kingdoms in the fifteenth century?
It was divided into the Crown of Castile, the Crown of Aragon, the Kingdom of Navarre, the Kingdom of Portugal, and the Islamic Kingdom of Granada.
Unification of Castile and Aragon: Dates and Circumstances
How did the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon unite?
In 1469, Ferdinand, son of the King of Aragon, and Isabella, sister of the King of Castile, were married. In 1479, Ferdinand succeeded his father on the throne of Aragon. This led to a union, but it was initially a personal union only. Each kingdom maintained its own laws and institutions. The death of Isabella in 1504 jeopardized this dynastic union.
Final Unification of the Peninsular Kingdoms
How and by whom were the peninsular kingdoms finally united?
They were united under Charles, son of Juana la Loca (Joanna the Mad). The Castilian throne passed to Juana, daughter of Isabella, while Ferdinand remained King of Aragon. Juana’s madness rendered her unfit to rule, and Ferdinand eventually exercised the regency until Charles I, Juana’s son, ascended to the throne of both crowns in 1516.
Strategies of the Catholic Monarchs for Crown Unification
How did the Catholic Monarchs consolidate their power?
They created the Holy Brotherhood (Santa Hermandad) in Castile, a police unit dedicated to fighting bandits and resisting the demands of the nobility. They also reorganized the justice system and strengthened the Chancery (Chancillería), the highest judicial body. The Catholic Monarchs appointed magistrates (corregidores), officials who enforced the authority of the kings within the municipalities of Castile. They strengthened the royal treasury by seizing privileges and lands previously granted to the nobility.
Territorial Conquests During the Reign of the Catholic Monarchs
What lands were conquered during their reign?
They conquered the Kingdom of Granada, which was under Muslim rule. After Isabella’s death, they also conquered the Kingdom of Navarre. In 1504, they incorporated the Kingdom of Naples, and conquered Melilla and Oran in Africa. In the Atlantic, they took control of the Canary Islands and began the conquest of America.
Religious Unity Under the Catholic Monarchs
How did the Catholic Monarchs achieve religious unity?
They established the Court of the Inquisition in 1478 to persecute heretics. The court had jurisdiction throughout Castile and Aragon and was known for its harsh sentences. They expelled the Jews in 1492, issuing a royal decree that all Jews must convert to Christianity or leave Spain. In 1512, a similar decree mandated the conversion or expulsion of Muslims. The Muslims who did not convert were called Moriscos.
Definitions
- Matrimonial Alliances (Alianzas matrimoniales): Marriages of royal offspring arranged for territorial or political gain. The Catholic Monarchs used these alliances against France.
- Court of the Inquisition (Tribunal de la Inquisición): Founded by the Catholic Monarchs with papal permission in 1478 to prosecute heretics. It had jurisdiction over all territories of Castile and Aragon.
- Chancery (Chancillería): The highest judicial body.
- Aldermen (Corregidores): Officials enforcing the authority of the kings in Castilian municipalities.
- Santa Hermandad: A police force that combated bandits and enforced royal authority.
- Dynasty (Dinastía): A sequence of rulers from the same family.
- Conversos: Jews who converted to Christianity. They faced persecution by the Inquisition.
- Moors (Moriscos): Muslims who converted to Christianity.
- Juana la Loca (Joanna the Mad): Daughter of Isabella I. Upon Isabella’s death in 1504, the throne passed to Juana. Her mental instability led to her son, Charles I, eventually taking the throne.