Chapter 4- The Dual Monarchy in Action Flashcards
How did the concept of Dual monarchy change Spain?
Placed a particularly strong emphasis on the decline of feudal ties as a main form of social and political organisation and as a historian puts it, ‘strengthening of centralised Royal authority, at the expense of traditional social groups such as the military aristocracy and the church.’ In other words power and authority were focused on the monarchs rather than shared or delegated to other potentially powerful individuals.
After Isabella’s death how did the focus on the monarchy and its officers become more noticeable?
In the membership and authority of the Council of Castile, (RC?). Nobles were allowed to attend but were not able to vote. The business of the realm became the province of a small number of Caballeros, or gentleman, members of the higher clergy and a large number of letrados. This was rather than aristocrats. Increasingly, legal training with essential if a gentleman wished to participate in government activities at a high level.
What did Isabella instruct her chroniclers to do?
To always reports government actions as having been done by both herself and Ferdinand. This was, of course, not always true; therethey were bound to have differing obligations at different times. Chronicler Hernando del Pulgar wrote that the king and queen on such and such a day, gave birth to a daughter.
What were the common aims of Ferdinand and Isabella?
– Restoring law and order following the Civil War that had erupted on the death of Henry IV.
- Improving the judicial system. An attempt was made to ensure that laws were common throughout Castile. However, this does not mean that the same laws operated throughout C&A.
- to strengthen Catholicism.
Is not a common aim?
The desire to develop a common administrative body shared by two states: instead, the council Aragon was created to govern in Ferdinand’s frequent absences.
What’s there a body to oversee foreign affairs?
No, if a new territory was gained it seemed to be given on an ad hoc basis to the two states: e.g. the Indians were allocated to Castile and Naples to Aragon.
What is meant by the term dual monarchy?
It describes the partnership of Ferdinand and Isabella.
Why was the authority of the monarchy initially week?
Power and influence of the nobility and the church combined was stronger. Eg in Salamanca where over 60% of the population owed their primary allegiance to the nobility and 6% to church. Additionally the nobility of Castile rather than the monarchs were the main authority in 258 towns and villages: they chose the public officers who directly governed these towns.
As the responsibilities of the catholic monarchs grew, time for travelling was limited. How did they resolve this problem?
– Permanent courts where established like those in Santiago to Compostela in 1504 and Granada in 1505, to deal with disputes.
- The Royal Council met regularly as the highest court of appeal twice a week.
- The cortes were used to regulate some very specific issues, e.g. in 1505 at the Cortes of Toro, Ferdinand dealt with disputed succession to noble lands.
- Nobles were in encouraged to prevent the division of their lands to their heirs through the application of entail.
In regards to Royal justice, how did Ferdinand and Isabella attempt to change the law?
They tried to codify the laws in 1503 and in 1505. By the latter years of their reign however Hunt points out that Ferdinand’s costly wars meant that there was a greater reliance on the nobles to help them both in person and through financial contributions. This meant that nobles who did ignore the rules escaped being severely punished.
Who was Gonzalo Chacon?
1429 to 1507. Was the chief accountant, head government finances and the Royal Steward. Was one of Isabellas closest confidantes, having worked with her before she became Queen. Was also significantly a converso. He was the mastermind behind finance in both states.
What was the issue with currency?
There were different currencies in different kingdoms. Aragon worked in pounds, shillings and pence: Castile in ducats, reals or Maravedis. This did not make joint financial policies easy to implement and control.
Despite the rise in expenditure, why were Ferdinand and Isabella not in debt at the end of their reign?
Increase in law and order suggests that most of the revenue collected actually reached the government. Further source of income was the payments by the Mesta in return for increased privileges. Accounting processes where refined and treasuries were organised more efficiently with officials handling different aspects of the collection.
Where did the increase in revenue come from?
Taxation or other sources.
What is EJ Hamilton’s theory for the increase in prices?
Yeah identified the course whistle back from America flooding into Spain and encouraging rising prices. This can be questioned as the largest amount of silver came into Spain early in the century, the biggest price rises were in the second half. The figures reflect this, Eg. From 1551 to 55 imports were at a total of 11,830,63 which was vastly greater than the rate of 1503 to 15.
