Ferdinand and Isabella / John Edwards.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Edwards, John, 1949-

Series:

Profiles in power (London, England)

Profiles in power

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Spain--History--Ferdinand and Isabella, 1479-1516.

Spain.

History.

Ferdinand V, King of Spain, 1452-1516.

Ferdinand.

Isabella I, Queen of Spain, 1451-1504.

Isabella.

Physical Description:

xii, 200 pages : 1 map ; 21 cm.

Place of Publication:

New York : Pearson/Longman, [2005]

Summary:

The powerful personalities of Ferdinand and Isabella had a major impact on the societies and states of early Europe and America. They unified Spain under one government and established the new Inquisition in 1478; they affirmed the country's Catholic Christian identity by forcing Muslims and Jews to convert to Christianity and they sent Christopher Columbus to discover a 'New World'. Their influence has passed down through the centuries, providing political and cultural role models during the dictatorship of General Francisco Franco.

Powerful figures in history have generally achieved dominance as individuals, and have largely been male. This book is striking in being about a couple, not a single, dominant ruler. On the 500th anniversary of the death of Isabella, John Edwards provides a gripping and topical account of the dynamics of their power relationship and the religious controversies of their reign.

This is essential reading for those concerned with power, politics and religion and with interfaith relations in the premodern world.

Contents:

1 Inheritance and Apprenticeship 1

2 Building a Regime 27

Crown of Castile 27

Crown of Aragon 42

3 The War against Islam 48

4 Defenders of the Faith 68

Jews, converts and the Inquisition 68

Christianity and the Church 82

Islam 94

5 Diplomacy and Expansion 103

Conquest 103

Diplomacy 107

Exploration and colonization 114

6 Court and Culture 128

The courts 128

Culture 135

7 Dynasty and Legacy 146

Royal marriages 146

Isabella's will 158

Legacy 164

Monetary Values 178.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0582218160

OCLC:

59104063