Catholic Monarchs: Dynastic Union and State Organization
The Catholic Monarchs and Dynastic Union
In 1469, the marriage of Isabel of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon took place. Both belonged to the ruling families in Castile and Aragon, different branches of the Trastámara dynasty.
After Henry IV’s death, a civil war erupted in Castile. Isabel, supported by Aragon, clashed with Juana la Beltraneja, supported by Portugal. The conflict culminated in the Battle of Toro in 1476 and the Peace of Alcaçovas with Portugal in 1479. Isabel I became Queen of Castile.
In 1479, Ferdinand I was crowned King of Aragon, completing the dynastic union between the two most powerful kingdoms of the peninsula. The new monarchs aimed to unite the peninsula under their crown. In January 1492, the Conquest of the Nazari kingdom of Granada ended, completing the Reconquista and ending Muslim presence on the peninsula.
Known as the Catholic Monarchs, they unsuccessfully tried a marriage alliance with Portugal. After Isabel’s death, Ferdinand conquered Navarre in 1512, declaring its unity with Castile in 1515.
Previously, with the signing of Barcelona in 1493, Aragon recovered Roussillon and Cerdaña from France. Castile concluded the conquest of the Canaries in 1496.
This completed the process of unification of Spain. However, the union was a dynastic union. The various kingdoms maintained different laws and institutions under the same monarch.
Organization of the State Under the Catholic Monarchs
The Catholic Monarchs strengthened the power of the monarchy. This task, begun during the civil war in Castile, continued throughout their reign. Isabel and Ferdinand ended the conflict between noble and royal power that had characterized the late Middle Ages. The authority of the Catholic Monarchs restored and consolidated government institutions and public finance.
The reorganization of the finance system was a priority. At the Cortes of Toledo in 1480, grants (grants to the nobility) made during the reign of Henry IV were reviewed. This measure undermined the nobles who had supported Juana “la Beltraneja” and allowed the monarchs to recover more than half of their income.
In 1476, at the Cortes of Madrigal de las Altas Torres, the constitution of the Brotherhood was adopted. Law enforcement agencies also played an important role in tax collection. The Holy Brotherhood was instrumental in restoring peace and order in the kingdom.