Kamen Historiography Flashcards
On the Royal Council
He sees it not as a centralising body, but as an organisation that simply grew according to the needs of the state.
On the fresh start for Spain. Pg 13.
“Old habits had to be altered and far reaching changes were required in political, economic and social life.”
On the threat of the nobility. Page 21
He sees the nobles as a potentially very serious threat to the monarchy, saved only by the rivalry between the nobles themselves.
On the cooperation of the army during Conquest of Granada. Pg25
The army worked together “in harmony and obedience, like members of one family.”
On terms of Granada surrender.
They were ‘generous’ and that the treaty ‘reflected the medieval traditions of convivencia’ however, also states that conversion was compulsory, generating considerable opposition in 1499, and a revolt in 1500, suggesting that convivencia was just as much under threat as it had been before the conflict.
On the motives for the Inquisition.
Kamen is not fully convinced about the financial motives, but evidence that those who had their goods confiscated were often the richer conversos supports this.
On the rules of the Inquisition.
‘Unsystematic, had to be regularly modified, and led to variation of practice between different tribunals.’
Finances of F&I, 1492-1500 page 44
Recognises that they were in a condition of ‘constant debt’.
On the over reliance of sheep farming. P 47. 1492 to 1500.
Challenges the negative view by suggesting that farmers responded by taking overcommon lands and waste lands.
On Royal justice. P 52. 1500 to 16.
He stresses that changes in the system in the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella were ‘at the heart of the policy of pacification’.
