Catholic Monarchs: Dynastic Union and the Conquest of Granada
Catholic Monarchs: The Dynastic Union
Isabel of Castile and her husband, Ferdinand of Aragon, are known as the Catholic Monarchs. They were given this title by the Pope for ending the power of Islam in the Iberian Peninsula. Their marriage resulted in a common policy for both kingdoms, leading to significant successes abroad. This policy was further consolidated when their grandson, Charles of Habsburg, inherited the family estate.
The unification of Castile and Aragon under the Catholic Monarchs did not create a fully unified state with no borders, shared institutions, uniform laws, a common language, or a single currency.
Isabel was the sister of King Henry IV of Castile, who had only one heiress, Joan, who was considered illegitimate by some. Henry IV recognized Joan as the heir to the throne, provided she did not marry without his consent. However, Henry IV later named his daughter Joan as heir and promised her to Alfonso V of Portugal.
When Henry IV died, Isabel was proclaimed Queen in Segovia. This sparked a civil war in Castile (1474-1479) between two factions:
- Supporters of Isabel: The Crown of Aragon, part of the Castilian nobility and clergy, and the Basque cities of the northern plateau.
- Supporters of Joan: Portugal, France, part of the Castilian nobility and clergy, and the towns of Galicia and the southern plateau.
Alfonso V married Joan and invaded Castile. The dynastic union of the two kingdoms was unequal from the outset. Castile was much larger, had a bigger population, and a growing economy. It seemed inevitable that the construction of a solid state would be cemented, especially in Castile.
Catholic Monarchs: Conquest of the Nazari Kingdom
The War of Granada (1481-1492) was the most important event of Ferdinand and Isabella’s reign for their contemporaries. Its development can be divided into three phases:
Conquest and Defense of Alhama (1481-1484)
The excuse for starting the war was the continued clashes between Christians and Muslims on the border of the Nazari kingdom. The Castilian civil war between the contenders for the Nazari throne favored these clashes. The Catholic Monarchs encouraged the conflict by buying the support of one of them, Boabdil, who confronted his father and uncle. These internal struggles split the Nazari kingdom into three sectors: Malaga, Granada, and Almeria, which facilitated the Christian advance.
The Taking of Malaga (1485-1487)
From a military standpoint, this was the most decisive and bitter stage. After being isolated and enduring a grueling siege, the city was occupied, and the Muslim population was subjected to slavery.
Surrender of Granada (1488-1492)
The rest of the conquest of the Nazari kingdom was relatively simple, as places surrendered one after another with little resistance. Public capitulations were signed with Boabdil, the last Nazari king. The former Nazari kingdom of Granada became part of the Kingdom of Castile.