Isabella and Ferdinand: Royal Authority

Question 1

What year was Isabella crowned?

Answer 1

1474

Question 2

I) which treaty ended the Civil War?

II) What year was it signed?

Answer 2

I) The Treaty of Alcacovas

II) 1479

Question 3

Why was the monarchs presence so important?

Answer 3

Spain lacked a true Capital City

Question 4

How did the Monarchs secure their authority after the Civil War?

Answer 4

Made alliances with ruling Noble families, such as the Mendozas and Velascos. They were offered new titles and offices in return for fealty

Question 5

I) How many families dominated the Castilian aristocracy?

II) How much land did they own between them?

Answer 5

I) 15

II) Over 50% of the land in Castile

Question 6

Give 3 direct ways the Crown limited the Nobilities power

Answer 6

1) Threatened them with the Hermandades
2) Destroyed key fortresses
3) Made private wars illegal

Question 7

I) What was mayorazgo?

II) Why did this help I+F secure loyalty from the Nobles?

Answer 7

I) The prohibiting of the division of inheritance?

II) They could give this right back in return for loyalty

Question 8

I) What percentage of the Moorish lands were given to the Nobility after the reconquista?
II) Why did they do this?

Answer 8

I) Over 50%

II) It allowed them to keep the nobility happy whilst not weakening the Crown’s power in Spain

Question 9

What is an example of the danger of the Grandes (The richer Nobility)?

Answer 9

After the death of Isabella of Castile, Medina Sidonia offered Phillip of Hapsburg, Ferdinand’s rival, 2000 cavalry and 50,000 ducats

Question 10

I) Who were the Military Orders? 
II) Why were they set up? 
III) How did they become a threat?
IV) Who were the most prominent? (3) 
V) How did Ferdinand deal with them?

Answer 10

I) Chivalric organisations
II) To aid the reconquest of southern Spain
III) They ended up amassing Land, property, fortresses, and even the control of some towns
IV) Santiago, Calatrava and Alcantara
V) By 1500 he took over the mastership of the orders of Santiago, Calatrava and Alcantara