Chapter I: Foreword

Isabel of Castile is one of the most remarkable, and also one of the most attractive, figures in Spanish history. Her marriage with Ferdinand the Wise of Aragon brought about the union of the Spanish nationality, which had so long been distracted and divided by provincial prejudices and dynastic feuds. She is the ancestress of the Spanish Hapsburg line. But she is also important in Spanish history as a wise and energetic ruler, who rendered invaluable assistance to her husband and to some extent moulded his policy. Under their government Spain was reduced from anarchy to order and took her place among the great Powers of Europe. Isabel is perhaps best known as the patroness of Christopher Columbus and the unflinching ally of the Spanish Inquisition. But her career presents many other features of interest. In particular it reveals the problems which had to be faced by European governments in the critical period of transition from mediæval to modern forms of national organization.

H. W. C. D.

BALLIOL COLLEGE, OXFORD,
Dec. 17, 1914.

CONTENTS

PAGE

CHAPTER I

CASTILE IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY 1

CHAPTER II

THE REIGN OF HENRY IV.: MISGOVERNMENT. 1454–1463 22

CHAPTER III

THE REIGN OF HENRY IV.: CIVIL WAR AND ANARCHY. 1464–1474 51

CHAPTER IV

ACCESSION OF ISABEL: THE PORTUGUESE WAR. 1475–1479 88

CHAPTER V

ORGANIZATION AND REFORM 121

CHAPTER VI

THE MOORISH WAR. 1481–1483 158

CHAPTER VII

THE FALL OF GRANADA: THE MOORISH WAR. 1484–1492 185

CHAPTER VIII

THE INQUISITION 231

CHAPTER IX

THE EXPULSION OF THE JEWS AND MUDEJARES 263

CHAPTER X

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 285

CHAPTER XI

ISABEL AND HER CHILDREN 319

CHAPTER XII

THE ITALIAN WARS. 1494–1504 346

CHAPTER XIII

CASTILIAN LITERATURE 387

APPENDIX I. HOUSE OF TRASTAMARA IN CASTILE AND ARAGON 424