Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile: Early Modern History (Early Modern History Series Book 2)

The rise of Spain during the sixteenth century to the position of being Europe’s dominant power is in many ways remarkable. In the late-fifteenth century, it was a poor, barren area, with only about half of its land suitable for agriculture.

It consisted of a number of distinct kingdoms with their individual histories and traditions. Yet in a little over a hundred years, it had gained a vast overseas empire, controlled Portugal, the Netherlands, large areas of Italy and exerted its influence throughout Europe.

This 4,400-word summary details the crucial roles played by Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile in starting Spain on the path to its ‘Golden Age’.

The main areas studied are:

• Castile in 1480
• Aragon in 1480
• The Marriage between Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile
• The Reasons for the Marriage
• The Domestic Policies of Ferdinand and Isabella
• Ferdinand and Isabella’s Foreign Policy
• The Succession Issue

Early Modern Age Series by Andrew Alexander:

Europe in 1500.
Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile.
Charles V – Holy Roman Emperor.
The Protestant Reformation.
Philip II – King of Spain.
Henry IV – King of France.
Cardinal Mazarin – Chief Minister of France.
Cardinal Richelieu’s Foreign Policy.
Louis XIV – King of France.
The Decline of Spain in the Seventeenth Century.
Peter the Great – Tsar of Russia.