Government and Administration under Isabella and Ferdinand (1)

Question 1

Why was efficient working of the government and administration important?

Answer 1

• necessary to ensure peace

- necessary to ensure enough money was raised to match the Monarch’s expenditure

Question 2

What was the main aim when establishing peace and order in Castile and Aragon?

Answer 2

Create a strong position for the Crown to ensure peace and order but respect the rights and customs of the individual kingdoms

Question 3

When establishing an effective justice system, where was more effort put into?

Answer 3

Castile

Question 4

List the three ways that Isabella and Ferdinand established peace and order

Answer 4

1. Personal presence
2. Use of Hermandades
3. Use of Corregidores (in Castilian towns)

Question 5

How did the Monarchs manage to have a strong personal presence?

Answer 5

They were constantly on the move

Question 6

Where did Ferdinand spend more time and what happened because of this?

Answer 6

He spent more time in Castile so had viceroys to govern in his place

Question 7

Because there was no fixed court and the officials and advisors travelled with them, what did this mean they could do?

Answer 7

• settle and make judgements on disputes
• hear lawsuits
• deal personally with revolts

Question 8

What did the Hermandades do for the crown?

Answer 8

• provided Ferdinand and Isabella with soldiers

- contributed money to the civil war and the Granada war

Question 9

What were two main tasks of the Hermandades?

Answer 9

• police the towns, villages, and countryside

- try people for crimes

Question 10

Give two examples of the Hermandades’ severe punishments

Answer 10

• mutilation

- death

Question 11

List three ways in which the Hermandades’ success was limited

Answer 11

• only dealt with small disorders
• other law officials disliked them
• financial contributions to the Crown were seen as a burden

Question 12

Where were the corregidores appointed?

Answer 12

One in every important Castilian town

Question 13

List the four jobs of the corregidores

Answer 13

• collect tax
• report to crown about affairs in the area
• ensure royal jurisdiction isn’t influenced by Church or nobility
• ensure councils follow royal policies

Question 14

Who were sent to check on the corregidores?

Answer 14

Royal officials

Question 15

Why were royal officials resented in towns?

Answer 15

Their salaries were met by the towns