Key Historical Events of Medieval and Modern Spain
Bull of Crusade: Its origin dates back to the eleventh century, when it authorized the Spanish Crown to seek a compulsory contribution, a sort of gift, intended to finance the fight against the Moors and the Crusades, aimed at regaining control of Jerusalem. It was paid by the community, and each major city of the viceroyalties was assigned a sum for this purpose.
Treaty of Tordesillas: Signed in Tordesillas on June 7, 1494, between Isabella and Ferdinand, the Catholic Monarchs of Aragon and Castile, and King John II of Portugal. It established a division of conquest and annexation areas in the New World through a boundary line in the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent territories.
Alcáçovas Treaty: Signed between representatives of the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella of Castile and Aragon, and King Alfonso V of Portugal and his son John. It ended hostilities after the War of Castilian Succession (1475-1479). Alfonso V of Castile abdicated, and the Catholic Monarchs waived their claim to the Portuguese throne. It dealt with Atlantic territories between the two countries and recognized Castilian sovereignty over the Canary Islands.
The Revolt of the Alpujarras (1567): Occurred under the reign of Philip II in response to an edict from 1566 known as the Pragmatic, limiting the religious freedoms of the Moorish population. Following the rebellion, over 80,000 Moriscos were dispersed throughout the peninsula.
Mercantilism: A set of economic ideas asserting that a nation’s prosperity depends on its capital (bullion) and that the global trade volume is unchangeable. Mercantilism suggests that governments should pursue protectionist policies, encouraging exports and discouraging imports, mainly through tariffs.
Mudejar: A term meaning “home” or “domesticated,” designating Spanish Muslims living in territory conquered by Christians during the Reconquista in the Iberian Peninsula. They were allowed to practice Islam, use their language, and maintain their customs.
Council of Castile: The Royal and Supreme Council of Castile was the backbone of the Hispanic Monarchy’s governance structure in the Modern Age (16th-19th centuries). It was the second most important body after the king and served as a model for other councils. In 1442, the nobility increased their influence. The Catholic Monarchs enhanced its legal and institutional status in 1480. The 18th century, with the change of dynasty, the War of Spanish Succession, and the Decree of Nueva Planta, saw an increase in the Council’s power.
Holy Brotherhood: A group of armed men paid by councils to prosecute criminals. It was instituted in the Courts of Madrigal (1476), unifying various guilds that had existed since the 11th century in the Christian kingdoms. Dissolved in 1834, it played a significant role in the Granada War.
Royal Court (Audiencia Real): The highest judicial body, created by Henry II of Castile. It focused on the administration of justice and consisted of a Chairman (usually the viceroy), auditors, a sheriff, a reporter, a clerk, and a janitor.
Peace of Westphalia (1648): Ended the Thirty Years’ War in Germany and the Eighty Years’ War between Spain and the Netherlands. The treaties involved Emperor Ferdinand III (Habsburg), Spain, France, Sweden, the United Provinces, and princes of the Holy Roman Empire. It led to the first modern diplomatic congress and a new order in central Europe based on national sovereignty. The regulations became part of the constitutional laws of the Holy Roman Empire until 1806.
Union of Arms (1626): Proclaimed by Philip IV, it aimed to create a reserve army recruited and maintained by various provinces, kingdoms, and viceroyalties. The Castilian Cortes proposed replacing tax payments with a 30,000-troop army. The Count-Duke of Olivares, under Philip IV, sought greater unity of the empire through uniform laws and a more equitable distribution of resources, challenging the existing regional powers.