The Marriage of Isabella and Ferdinand Flashcards
Who was Isa acting against the wishes of when she married Ferd?
Her half - brother Henry IV
How did Ferd make his way to the marriage place and where was it held?
In disguise, with a small escort to Valladolid
What relationship did Isa and Ferd have before their wedding day?
They were cousins but hadn’t met before
The marriage contract was very clear about how much power each of them would have in each other’s kingdoms. What was the policy for Ferd?
- had to respect the customs of Castile - all appointments and decisions were to be in accordance with Isabella’s wishes
- live in Castile
- support the policy of regaining the land from the Moors
- all public decisions had to have both signatures
Why was the marriage contract so harsh on Ferd?
To dispel fears that an Aragonese would take over Castile and use Castilian resources and money to fund Aragon
After Isa’s coronation, his rule in Castile was made more equal, how was this done?
- they’d dispense justice jointly
- 1475: Ferd could act without Isa in Castile
Although they became rulers who were more equal, what powers did Isa still keep?
- could grant gifts and favours to the nobles, towns, and cities of Castile
- was responsible for the administration of Castile and its territories
Give some examples of how their marriage union seems to have been successful
- both initials engraved into possessions
- both signed royal decrees
- both responsible for ecclesiastical and administrative appointments
How were the births of their children beneficial?
They cemented Isa and Ferd’s positions on the throne and were useful in marriage treaties
Name four points which show that the two kingdoms were still administered independently
- kept forms of government
- kept languages
- kept own laws and customs
- nothing was done to bring economies closer (trade remained difficult due to customs barriers, once the exploration of the New World opened new markets, only Castilians were allowed to participate)
As part of the marriage contract, where would Isabella and Ferdinand’s children be educated?
In Castile
As part of the marriage contract, what did Ferdinand have to provide if needed?
- a dowry of 100,000 florins
- 4000 troops
Why were Ferd and Isa’s children useful?
- cemented their positions on the throne
- proved useful in marriage treaties with foreign countries
