securing the throne 1469-79 Flashcards
1
Q
1469
A
Isabella (18), heir to castile, married her cousin Ferdinand (17), heir t king of Aragon
2
Q
what did the marriage contract state regarding Ferdinand’s authority in castile
A
- respect customs of castile & all appointments/decisions were to be in accordance with Isabella’s wishes
- he was to live in castile & support policy of reconquering land from the Moors
- all public decisions were to bear signatures of both partners
3
Q
Isabella’s coronation
A
1474
4
Q
after Isabella’s coronation, how were the terms of the marriage contract (for Ferdinand) altered to make him more of an equal in castile?
A
- 2 monarchs to dispense justice jointly
- in 1475, Isabella granted ferdinand power to act without her in castile
5
Q
powers isabella retained regarding castile
A
- she alone could grant gifts & favours to nobles & towns & cities in castile
- she was responsible for administration of castile & its territories
–> isabella needed ferdinand to secure throne in castile, but ensured he would not overshadow her
6
Q
what was the situation in 1469
A
- both kingdoms suffering effect of civil war
- in castile, the nobles had been disputing power of henry IV since 1464
- in aragon, the kingdom of catalonia had revolted against rule of ferdinand’s father John II (in 1462) –> defeated 10 years later
- no gaurantee that either I or F would succeed their respective kingdoms
- isabella’s problem: joanna (daughter of half brother, henry IV) believed to be illegitimate & henry agreed to acknowledge isabella as heir but anger at marriage with F led him to acknowledge joanna
- henry VI didn’t leave final will naming his successor
7
Q
describe the fight for the crown of castile between joanna & isabella
A
- I proclaimed self queen of castile in 1474 when henry VI died & F as consort
–> proclaimed queen in city of segovia, where one of supporters controlled royal treasury - acted on own initiative without consulting F (in aragon at time)
- joanna also claimed throne & had some support in castile
- to strengthen her claim, joanna engaged king alfonso V of portugal
- war of succession broke out in 1475 (took 5 years for I to gain control of all of castile)
8
Q
how did isabella gain support?
A
- showed determination & capabilities
- supported by number of grandees (eg. mendoza family)
- worked hard to win over grandees & other nobles who’d originally supported joanna by offering them amnesty, as well as:
1. new grants of lands
2. grants of titles/royal offices
3. reaffirmation of their right to collect financial grants awarded by crown since 1464 - secured backing of number of castilian towns/cities (eg. toledo)
- prepared to use force if necessary
- support from ferdinand
9
Q
define grandee
A
spanish nobleman of highest rank
10
Q
how did ferdinand help isabella gain support
A
- ability in war made him successful leader of her forces
- he travelled country galvanising support
- fortified key strategic points & had important victory in battle of toro in 1476
11
Q
why did joanna not gain support?
A
- alfonso of portugal failed to show leadership/military strength necessary to enable joanna to replace isabella
12
Q
qualities of ferdinand
A
- more experince of politics & military affairs
- proved skilful & practical in handling of political matters
- in war, he displayed personal bravery & capacity for inspiring those who fought beneath him
13
Q
qualities of isabella
A
- more extreme in religious matters compared to ferdinand
- religious, determined & energetic
- worked closely with historians during her reign (eg. hernando del pulgar) to ensure her subjects had positive image of her character & achievements
- inspired loyalty & respect
14
Q
marriage partnership of isabella & ferdinand
A
- ferdinand given little personal power in castile
- all appointments in castile had to have isabellas agreement & ferdinand must respect castillian traditions
- all children to be educated in castile
- isabella given little say in running of kingdom aragon
- heads of both appeared on seals & coins
- arms appeared together in banners
- initials of both monarchs engraved on furniture/posessions
- both singed royal decrees
- both responsible for ministerial & administrative appointments
- ferdinand played active part in governing of castile
15
Q
succession of isabella & ferdinand
A
- had 5 children: isabella (1470), john (1478), joanna (1479), maria (1482) & catherine (1485)
- secured ferdinand & isabella’s positions on thrones
