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A level study sets > Ferdinand and Isabella > Flashcards

Ferdinand and Isabella Flashcards

1
Q

When and how did Ferdinand and Isabella get married?

A

1469 - secret marriage, they had never met before, Isabella’s half-brother, Henry, was angry and said that he would now proclaim his illegitimate daughter, Joanna, as heir (lead to the War of Succession)

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2
Q

In what ways did the marriage contract of unite the kingdoms of Aragon and Castile? (x7)

A
  • Both monarchs played a role in running both kingdoms
  • All public decisions had to bear the signature of both partners
  • Both monarchs wanted greater control over the Church
  • Both monarchs considered Castile to be the more important of the two kingdoms
  • Ferdinand controlled the foreign policies of both kingdoms
  • Ferdinand had to support Reconquista - both monarchs saw themselves as ‘defenders of the Catholic faith’
  • Ferdinand had to live in Castile and any children would be raised in Castile
  • Both monarchs travelled around all kingdoms together, to attend personally to problems and gain support
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3
Q

How were Aragon and Castile separate

A
  • Castilian appointments and decisions would be made by Isabella (Isabella granted Ferdinand the power to act without her in Castile in 1475)
  • Each kingdom kept own government, laws, language and customs
  • Trade was difficult between because of internal customs barriers
  • There were three different coinage systems in operation
  • Only Castilians could explore/emigrate to the New World
  • Castile = New World, Granada, Navarre, Canary Islands
  • Aragon = Cerdagne, Roussillon, Naples, Balearic islands, Sicily
  • There was no attempt to create a centralised government
  • Castile cortes weak and had few powers to prevent actions of monarch (Isabella could easily make/unmake laws without the consent of the Cortes)
  • Aragon had various powerful Cortes and they had to approve all laws
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4
Q

How was the government in Aragon organised

A
  • Various separate CORTES that sometimes met together (Cortes Generales)
  • They approved all laws so that the FUEROS (Aragonese laws and privileges) could be protected
  • Cortes were protected by the JUSTICIA (law officer with wide power who could not be removed by the monarch)
  • AUDIENCIAS tried cases independent from the Crown
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5
Q

War succession

A
  • Isabella encountered first problems of her reign after Henry died.
  • Plot to install his daughter Juana as the queen led to a war between Castile and Portugal
  • Monarchs achieved a great victory at the Battle of Toro 1476, establishing Isabella, securing her position as Castile’s Queen.
  • War continued until 1479 with Castile winning on land and Portugal at sea.
  • Castile’s result on land constituted a victory for the Monarchs
  • Portuguese right to navigation in the Atlantic represented loss of wealth and power
  • Isabella got the throne
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6
Q

What were the limitations of the Hermandades? (x3)

A
  • Could only deal with small crimes because other law enforcement officers disliked them interfering
  • They saw financial contributions as a burden
  • Nobility in Aragon resented them so they were short lived there
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7
Q

When did Ferdinand become King of Aragon?

A

1478 - when his father died

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8
Q

The cortes

A
  • Called on when monarchs needed money and to confirm royal legislation
  • Monarchs could hear grievances from representatives who attended Cortes
  • Nobility and the Church didn’t usually attend the Cortes meetings because the main job was to vote for taxes to be granted, however both of these groups were exempt from paying taxes
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9
Q

What was the main council for the two kingdoms?

A

Royal council of Castile

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10
Q

What were ordinances?

A

Decrees issued by monarchs

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11
Q

How did the monarchs select the men to serve in their councils?

A

Chose men with talents rather than the nobility

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12
Q

How did the monarchs use the conciliar system to their advantage?

A

They increased the number of councils to meet growing responsibilities

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13
Q

How did the monarchs ensure support from the nobility? (x4)

A
  • Support for Crown led to rewards (new titles)
  • Opportunities given to nobles to serve in foreign wars (led to prestige etc.)
  • Monarchs encouraged titled nobility to spend time at court
  • Nobles could continue to collect the alcabala tax (usually 10% of sales)
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14
Q

How did the monarchs prevent over-mighty monarchs? (x2)

A
  • Troublesome nobles were arrested, their castles burned, property confiscated
  • Nobles were forbidden to make private war or build new castles
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15
Q

What are ‘juros’?

A

Bonds issued by the Crown to cover costs of military campaigns

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16
Q

What was extraordinary income during Ferdinand and Isabella’s reign?

A

Military orders, Hermandades, Castilian Cortes, papal grants, loans from the nobility

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17
Q

What was ordinary income during Ferdinand and Isabella’s reign?

A

Alcabala tax, customs duties

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18
Q

What was the main expenditure during Ferdinand and Isabella’s reign?

A
  • Paying the military, wars/financial campaigns, paying the ambassadors, expensive royal marriage alliances
  • Monarchs did not pay out lavish sums on a fixed court and did not spend excessively on themselves
  • Certain amount of expenditure was necessary for subjects to respect them
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19
Q

What did Castile mainly trade in (materials)?

A
  • Sheep trade (wool) was controlled by the sheep owners’ guild - the Mesta
  • Wool was sent to Flanders
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20
Q

What were Ferdinand’s foreign policy aims? (x2)

A
  • Protect Mediterranean territories (e.g. Sicily, Sardinia) against Ottomans (religious, geographical and political reasons)
  • Regain Roussillon and Cerdagne from France and challenge France over interests in Navarre (geographically important) and Naples
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21
Q

Why was it important for Ferdinand to control Naples, and what were the consequences of controlling Naples?

A

Pros: Naples positioned in central Mediterranean so important to control because it made Spain the most important influence in Italy and Mediterranean + had large grain supply so provided revenue

Cons: Extended length of Spanish border which needed to be defended against Turks

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22
Q

How/when did relations between Portugal and Spain become friendlier?

A
  • Portugal wanted Joanna (married to Alfonso V of Portugal) to take the throne instead of Isabella, so Portugal invaded Spain in early reign
  • After the Treaty of Alcaçovas and the marriage between Iasbella/Maria and Portugal, relations became friendlier
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23
Q

How was the military improved under Ferdinand? (x5)

A
  • Spanish forces were under command of ‘Great Captain’, Gonzalo de Córdoba
  • New infantry formations/new weapons
  • Better organisation of soldiers, more discipline, long term serving
  • Crown incomes payed armies, did not rely on nobles to supply forces = less private armies
  • Ferdinand set up several armaments works and employed specialists from Germany/France with war knowledge
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24
Q

How did Ferdinand and Isabella gain more control over the Church in Spain? (x3)

A
  • They received the pope’s agreement to making all Church appointments in Spain, Granada and the Canaries and could sack the clergy
  • They could raise church taxes
  • They successfully prevented most appeals going to the pope
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25
Q

How did the monarchs try to improve the conditions of the clergy and laity? (x4)

A
  • Wanted to improve conditions of clergy/laity through training
  • Bishops such as Talavera/Cisneros tried to ensure the clergy couldn’t live with women, couldn’t wear unsuitable dress, did not fight, gamble, sing or dance in public
  • New colleges were set up for the education of the clergy
  • New bishops appointed were of non-noble background so they were less likely to engage in wars
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26
Q

Why/how were the monarchs unsuccessful in improving the conditions of the clergy and laity? (x3)

A
  • Clergy could still be tried for crime in Church court which would given them lighter sentence
  • Crown expected bishops to play an active role in government service which meant that they were often away from their diocese
  • The laity resented change, they enjoyed devotion to saints, processions and celebrations
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27
Q

Who was Desiderius Erasmus?

A

Dutch writer, scholar, humanist, advocate of a return to simple Christianity, remained a Catholic but sympathised with Protestant reformers

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28
Q

When was the Spanish Inquisition established in Castile?

A

1478 - papal approval arrived in the same year

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29
Q

What was convivencia?

A

Co-existance of Christians, Jews, Muslims (all religions)

30
Q

How was convivencia becoming less acceptable/ how did the monarchs discriminate against the Jews? (x4)

A
  • Jews excluded from certain positions (e.g. government), especially in Castile
  • Monarchs issued the walling off of Jewish sections of towns
  • Christians did not repay debts to Jews
  • Jews had to wear yellow badges
31
Q

What were the stereotypical/traditional roles in Jews and Muslims in Spain in the mid-15th century?

A

Jews were often leading financiers, lending to both Aragon and Castile, and were important in trade and medicine - they usually lived in the town/city
Muslims usually lived in the countryside and worked on the estates/farms of the nobility

32
Q

Why was the Inquisition introduced? (x3)

A
  • Many Jews had been forcibly converted to Christianity in previous years, but given no training - there were concerns about the Conversos practicing their Jewish customs and faith in secret
  • Churchmen pushed for an Inquisition as they said that the Conversos would undermine the stability of the country
  • A wish to gain additional income has alsobeen suggested as a motive for the Inquisition and expulsion of Jews
33
Q

Why was the Inquisition more tolerant towards witchcraft?

A

The members of the Inquisition were often letrados who looked for evidence - there was no evidence for witchcraft

34
Q

How did the Inquisition punish people?

A
  • The accused would be placed in an Inquisition prison (usually better conditions that state prisons)
  • ‘Relaxed = burnt at stake (for the most serious heretical crimes)
  • ‘Reconciled’ = galleys, flogging, prison
  • ‘Penanced’ = fine, had to wear a special garment called a sanbenito (for embarrassment/shame)
  • Auto da fé = public ceremony for humiliation
35
Q

When and what (x3) was the Treaty of Alcaçovas?

A

1479
- Treaty with Portugal - meant Ferdinand and Isabella could turn their attention elsewhere without fearing an invasion from Portugal or allies
- Portugal gave up their claim to the Canary Islands
- The War of Succession ended

36
Q

When was the Inquisition introduced in Aragon?

A

1481 - with much opposition

37
Q

When was the Granada War?

A

The Moors from Granada captured a fronteir town in Andalusia in 1481, which gave the excuse for a military campaign against Granada
The Granada War began in 1482 (until 1492)

38
Q

What were the reasons for the Reconquista? (x3)

A
  • Bring the whole Iberian Peninsula under Christian rule
  • Improve Castilian security (thought Conversos and Moors - internal threat)
  • Nobility suported Reconquista because it would provide additional land and trade
39
Q

How did the monarchs pay for the Reconquista?

A
  • Cruzada tax was introduced to pay for Christian crusades against Muslims
  • Loans (from German bankers, or Spanish nobility) had to be taken out
  • Hermandades supplied men/money
  • Harsh taxes on Jews
  • Spanish Church contributed funds
40
Q

How did the Spanish armies defeat the Moors in Granada? (x6)

A
  • Men were keen to fight in the war
  • Muslims didn’t have superior weapons and heavy usage of artillery by Christian armies - they could end sieges in weeks
  • Granada received little help
  • Nobles knew the area well and had experience in dealing with the Moors
  • Personal presence of monarchs helped encourage troops
  • Ferdinand (Aragon) oversaw the campaign and Isabella (Castile) provided the supplies
41
Q

Consequences of Granada war (x10)

A
  • Kingdoms were more united (men from both kingdoms had fought together in the war for a united cause)
  • Moorish population of Malaga (15,000) enslaved after capture 1487
  • Moors now called Mudéjars (Muslims living under Christian rule)
  • Muslims allowed to keep their own ress, religion, customs and property
  • Out of half million Moors in Granada, 100,000 ied fighting or were enslaved, 200,000 emigrated, 200,000 remained
  • Other European Christian rulers sent congratulations (the monarchs’ victory increased their prestige and assured their positions on their thrones)
  • The pope gave the monarchs the title ‘Catholic Monarchs’
  • The artillery and weapons developed considerably during the war
  • There was a loss in trade with northern Africa
  • There was an influx of peasants from Andalusia to fill the land made available by the death or emigration of Mudéjars
42
Q

When and what was the Court of Toledo?

A

1490 - almost all royal lands taken from Crown since 1464 were returned (nobles could keep land lost before and compensation given for land returned)

43
Q

What were the Knights Orders?

A
  • Knights Bound By Religious Vows Order
  • Had groups in Santiago, Calatrava and Alcantra
  • Knights owned large estates and were wealthy so the Crown income increased considerably now that they controlled it
  • Council was set up specifically for administration of Knights Orders
44
Q

Why were all Jews expelled from Castile and Aragon?

A
  • The Inquisition brought to light many more cases of Conversos practicing Judaism than the Crown expected, so the new solution was to expel all Jews from the two kingdoms
  • Emigration was encouraged since 1482 but the official policy began in 1492 stating that Jews must either become Christians or leave within 4 months
45
Q

When was Columbus’ 1st voyage to the New World? Where did he reach?

A

1492 - Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola, Haiti, Dominican Republic

46
Q

When were the Laws of Burgos reaffirmed?

A

1512 - set a code of behaviour for Spaniards in their handling of the natives - exceptions made for those who attacked Spain/cannibals (the settlers used this to their advantage)

47
Q

When was Ferdinand finally able to take Navarre?

A

Ferdinand previously lacked the resources - finally could take Navarre in 1512

48
Q

When and why did Ferdinand become Regent of Castile?

A

Philip HRE died in 1506 so the Cortes of Castile asked Ferdinand to take control in 1507 and he returned to Castile to become the regent in 1510

49
Q

When was the Treaty of Villafafila and what was agreed?

A

1506 - A treaty signed by Ferdinand and Philip HRE agreeing that Joanna was not mentally stable enough to rule Castile on her own as queen

50
Q

When did Ferdinand marry Germaine de Foix?

A

1506 - Germaine de Foix was the Kinf of France’s neice (a son was born in 1509 but only survived a few hours)

51
Q

When was Aragon’s military campaign into north Africa?

A

Between 1505-10, Aragon captured several towns on the north African coast (a continuation of the Reconquista)

52
Q

When was the Reconquest of Naples by Aragon?

A

1504 - Ferdinand said he wanted Naples under his control because it used to be controlled by Aragon and also said he was acting for the pope

53
Q

When did Isabella die?

A

1504

54
Q

Who did Isabella name as her heir?

A

She names Joanna and Philip of Austria HRE as her heirs to Castile because she was pressured by the nobility as they did not want an Aragonese ruling them - the two kingdoms were seperated again
Isabella named Ferdinand and Philip co-regents if Joanna was unable to rule

55
Q

When was Columbus’ 4th voyage to the New World and what happened?

A

1502 - ships landed in central America but were stranded in Jamaica for 1 year due to storms

56
Q

When was the policy of expulsion of the Moriscos repeated?

A

1502 - the only Mudéjars were now in Aragon but Ferdinand refused to expel them

57
Q

Why did Ferdinand and Isabella back Columbus? (x6)

A
  • Reconquista had ended so monarchs could turn attentions to other matters
  • Trading - for finding a route westward to India and China - if successful, it could show Portugal that they could compete with them on the seas
  • Columbus had build up supporters at court so they could stress the prospect of acquiring treasure for monarchs
  • Isabella also had some thought about conversion to Christianity
  • Columbus believed God directed him
  • In comparison to expenditure elsewhere, the financial cost of the venture to the monarchs was low
58
Q

Why did large numbers of natives die in the New World? (x3)

A
  • Spanish made natives work on land and in mines - large numbers of natives died and so did the settlers
  • Introduced new animals (horses, sheep, cattle) and new plants (wheat, vines, olives) - helped to create famine among natives as they lost their lands to cattle ranches
  • Natives could not defend themselves against the conquistadors because they had a lack of modern weaponry
59
Q

Why were people keen to become conquistadors? (x4)

A
  • They were lured by the promise of wealth and finding El Dorado (fabled city of gold)
  • They were in search of fame and glory
  • They were in search of adventure and were inspired by stories of chivalry, romance, fantasy etc.
  • They wanted to serve their country and God
60
Q

What discoveries had been made in the New World by 1516?

A

At the time, the discovery of the New World was the least of the monarchs’ achievements - by 1516 the main discoveries had been the pineapple, tomato, turkey

61
Q

What was the Treaty of Barcelona?

A

1493 - between France and Aragon - by the early 1490s, France’s attention was directed towards Italy and wanted to protect their frontiers so were willing to give up Cerdagne and Roussillon

62
Q

What was the Inter Caetara?

A

1493 - A papal bull confirming Spanish rights to new lands in South America - Pope Alexander VI was a Spaniard so was sympathetic to the Spanish cause

63
Q

When was Columbus’ 2nd voyage to the New World? What were the aims?

A

1493 - The new policywas to create ‘colonies of settlements’ instead of just ‘coonies of exploration’ - missions were launched to convert natives to Christians

64
Q

What was the Treaty of Tordesillas?

A

1494 - Spain agreed to move the line which marked Spanish territory further west (benefitted Portugal)

65
Q

When was the Council of Aragon formed?

A

1494 - The Letrados became a seperate council (the Council of Aragon)

66
Q

Which countries/states were members of the Holy League and who were they against?

A

Members = Spain, Austria, the papal states, Milan, Venice, the HRE
Against Charles VIII of France

67
Q

When was Columbus’ 3rd voyage to the New World?

A

1498 - mainland South America

68
Q

When and why were taxes levied on the Muslims?

A
  • 1495 (1st tax) and 1499 (2nd tax)
    After the expulsion of the jews, the attention turned to Muslims
  • Isabella started listening to the views of Cisneros, who thought patient and sincere education of the Muslims was too slow a change and that harsher policy was needed
  • Always fears that Mudéjars would ally with enemies of Spain in an invasion
69
Q

Why were the Mudéjars expelled from Spain?

A
  • After the 2nd tax was levied on the Muslims in 1499, a revolt broke out in Granada giving Isabella the excuse she needed to send in a force
  • Mudéjars were forced to either convert to Christianity or emigrate (had to leave children and belongings behind)
  • Those who remained were now know as Moriscos
70
Q

What is the difference between Moors, Mudéjars and Moriscos?

A

Moors are Muslims (usually from North Africa), Mudéjars are Muslims living under Christian rule (after the Reconquista), Moriscos are ‘new Christians’/Muslims who converted to Christianity (after the forced conversion in 1499)

A level study sets (42 decks)

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