After a struggle to claim the throne, Isabella reorganized the governmental system, brought the crime rate down, and unburdened the kingdom of the debt, which her half-brother King Henry IV had left behind. Isabella's marriage to Ferdinand in 1469 created the basis of the de facto unification of Spain. Her reforms and those she made with her husband had an influence that extended well beyond the borders of their united kingdoms.[4]
Isabella was born in Madrigal de las Altas Torres to King John II of Castile and his second wife, Isabella of Portugal, on 22 April 1451.[6] At the time of Isabella's birth, she was second in line to the throne after her older half-brother Henry.[5] Henry was 26 at that time and married, but childless. Isabella's younger brother Alfonso was born two years later on 17 November 1453, demoting her position to third in line.[7] When her father died in 1454, her half-brother ascended to the throne as King Henry IV. Isabella and her brother Alfonso were left in King Henry's care.[8] Isabella, her mother, and Alfonso then moved to Arévalo.[5][9]
These were times of turmoil for Isabella. The living conditions at their castle in Arévalo were poor, and they suffered from a shortage of money. Although her father arranged in his will for his children to be financially well taken care of, King Henry did not comply with their father's wishes, either from a desire to keep his half-siblings restricted or from ineptitude.[8] Even though her living conditions were difficult, Isabella was instructed in lessons of practical piety and in a deep reverence for religion under the supervision of her mother.[9]
When the king's wife, Joan of Portugal, was about to give birth to their daughter Joanna, Isabella and her brother Alfonso were summoned to court in Segovia to come under the direct supervision of the king and to finish their education.[5] Alfonso was placed in the care of a tutor while Isabella became part of the queen's household.[10]
Isabella in the Rimado de la Conquista de Granada, from 1482, by Pedro Marcuello
Some of Isabella's living conditions improved in Segovia. She always had food and clothing and lived in a castle that was adorned with gold and silver. Isabella's basic education consisted of reading, spelling, writing, grammar, history, arithmetic, art, chess, dancing, embroidery, music, and religious instruction. She and her ladies-in-waiting entertained themselves with art, embroidery, and music. She lived a relaxed lifestyle, but she rarely left Segovia since King Henry forbade this. Her half-brother was keeping her from the political turmoil going on in the kingdom, though Isabella had full knowledge of what was going on and of her role in the feuds.[11][better source needed]
After a rumor spread that Joanna was not actually the daughter of King Henry but rather of a royal favorite, Beltrán de la Cueva, noblemen confronted King Henry and demanded that the king's younger half-brother Alfonso be named his successor. They even went so far as to ask Alfonso to seize the throne. The nobles, now in control of Alfonso and claiming that he was the true heir, clashed with King Henry's forces at the Second Battle of Olmedo in 1467. The battle was a draw. King Henry agreed to recognize Alfonso as his heir presumptive, provided that he would marry his daughter, Princess Joanna.[5][12] Soon after he was named Prince of Asturias, he died at the age of fourteen in July 1468. The nobles who had supported him suspected poisoning. As she had been named in her brother's will as his successor, the nobles asked Isabella to take his place as champion of the rebellion.[5] However, support for the rebels had begun to wane, and Isabella preferred a negotiated settlement to continuing the war.[13] She met with her elder half-brother Henry at Toros de Guisando and they reached a compromise: the war would stop, King Henry would name Isabella his heir presumptive instead of his daughter Joanna, and Isabella would not marry without her half-brother's consent, but he would not be able to force her to marry against her will.[5][14] Isabella's side came out with most of what the nobles desired, though they did not go so far as to officially depose King Henry; they were not powerful enough to do so, and Isabella did not want to jeopardize the principle of fair inherited succession, since it was upon this idea that she had based her argument for legitimacy as heir-presumptive.
The question of Isabella's marriage was not a new one. She had, at the age of six, a betrothal to Ferdinand, the younger son of John II of Navarre (whose family was a cadet branch of the House of Trastámara). At that time, the two kings, Henry and John, were eager to show their mutual love and confidence and they believed that this alliance would make their eternal friendship obvious to the world.[15] This arrangement, however, did not last long.
The wedding portrait of Ferdinand and Isabella, c. 1469
Ferdinand's uncle Alfonso V of Aragon died in 1458. All of Alfonso's Spanish territories, as well as the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, were left to his brother John II. John now had a stronger position than ever before and no longer needed the security of Henry's friendship. Henry was now in need of a new alliance. He saw the chance for this much-needed new friendship in Charles of Viana, John's elder son.[16] Charles was constantly at odds with his father, and because of this, he secretly entered into an alliance with Henry IV of Castile. A major part of the alliance was that a marriage was to be arranged between Charles and Isabella. When John II learned of this arranged marriage, he was outraged. Isabella had been intended for his favorite younger son, Ferdinand, and in his eyes, this alliance was still valid. John II had his son Charles thrown in prison on charges of plotting against his father's life. Charles died in 1461.[17]
In 1465, an attempt was made to marry Isabella to Afonso V of Portugal, Henry's brother-in-law.[5] Through the medium of the queen and Count of Ledesma, a Portuguese alliance was made.[18] Isabella, however, was wary of the marriage and refused to consent.[19]
A civil war broke out in Castile over King Henry's inability to act as sovereign. Henry now needed a quick way to please the rebels of the kingdom. As part of an agreement to restore peace, Isabella was then to be betrothed to Pedro Girón Acuña Pacheco, Master of the Order of Calatrava and brother to the king's favorite, Juan Pacheco.[18] In return, Don Pedro would pay into the royal treasury an enormous sum of money. Seeing no alternative, Henry agreed to the marriage. Isabella was aghast and prayed to God that the marriage would not come to pass. Her prayers were answered when Don Pedro suddenly fell ill and died while on his way to meet his fiancée.[18][20]
When Henry had recognized Isabella as his heir-presumptive on 19 September 1468, he had also promised that his half-sister should not be compelled to marry against her will, while she in return had agreed to obtain his consent.[5][14] It seemed that the years of failed attempts at political marriages were finally over. There was talk of a marriage to Edward IV of England or to one of his brothers, probably Richard, Duke of Gloucester,[21] but this alliance was never seriously considered.[14] Once again in 1468, a marriage proposal arrived from Afonso V of Portugal. Going against his promises made in September 1468, Henry tried to make the marriage a reality. If Isabella married Afonso, Henry's daughter Joanna would marry Afonso's son John II and thus, after the death of the old king, John and Joanna could inherit Portugal and Castile.[22] Isabella refused and made a secret promise to marry her cousin and very first betrothed, Ferdinand of Aragon.[5]
The Order of Isabella the Catholic (Spanish: Orden de Isabel la Católica) is a Spanish civil order in which membership is given to honor services that benefited the country.
The Order of Isabel the Catholic was instituted by King Ferdinand VII on 14 March 1815. The original statutes of the Order were approved by Royal Decree of 24 March, with membership made in three classes: Grand Cross, and Knights of First and Second Class. Ferdinand VII was declared the Order's Founder, Head, and Sovereign. On 7 October 1816, at the suggestion of the Chapter of the Order, the Knights of the first class were renamed Commanders and the second class were renamed Knights.
By royal decree of 26 July 1847, Isabella II reorganised the four royal orders in Spain: the Order of the Golden Fleece, the Langues of Aragon and Castile of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, the Order of Charles III, and the Order of Isabella the Catholic. The latter was reserved to reward exclusively the services rendered in the Overseas territories. The classes of the order became Knight, Commander, Commander by Number, and Grand Cross. The concession and tests of nobility was suppressed in all the Royal Orders. By royal decree of 28 October 1851, no concessions of Grand Cross of any orders were to be made without the proposal of the Council of Ministers and concessions for the lower classes with the proposal of the Secretary of State.
After the establishment of the First Republic, the Order was declared to be extinguished by Decree of 29 March 1873 as deemed to be incompatible with the republican government. Use of the various insignias was allowed to those who possessed them. When King Alfonso XII ascended to the throne, the Order was reestablished by Decree of 7 January 1875.
Coat of arms of Alfonso XIII, with collar and heraldic mantle of the Order.
During the minority of Alfonso XIII, his mother and Regent, Maria Cristina, signed the royal decrees of 15 April 1889 and 25 October 1900. Among other things, they sought to impose entry into the Order by the category of Knight, to prohibit the use of decorations until the corresponding title was obtained, and to ratify the obligation that the Grand Cross be awarded with the agreement of the Council of Ministers and for conferees to be published in the Official Gazette. By Royal Decree of 14 March 1903, the Silver Cross of the Order was created, and by Royal Decree of 15 April 1907, the Silver and Bronze Medals.
In Royal Decree 1118, of 22 June 1927, the superior grade of Knights of the Collar was created, to be awarded to prominent personalities of extraordinary merit. It also provides that women can also be decorated with either the lazo or banda.
The Provisional Government of the Republic, by decree of 24 July 1931, abolished all orders under the Ministry of State, except for the Order of Isabella the Catholic. The regulations approved by decree of 10 October 1931 introduced a new degree: Officer (Oficial). By decree of 8 August 1935, it was established that the first degree in the Order of Isabella the Catholic was that of the Grand Cross, the Collar being reserved exclusively for very exceptional cases.
In 1938, Franco, by decree of 15 June, restored the Order in its traditional meaning: to reward meritorious services rendered to the country by nationals and foreigners. The order's regulations were approved by Decree of 29 September 1938. According to the 1938 regulations, the order consisted of the following grades: Knight of the Collar, Knight Grand Cross, Commander by Number, Commander, Knight, and Silver Cross. Decree 1353/1971, of 5 June, re-incorporated the rank of Officer, placing it between the grades of Knight and Commander. Thus, the Order consisted of the following grades: Knight of the Collar, Knight of the Grand Cross, Banda de Dama (denomination of the Grand Cross when granted to ladies), Commander by Number, Commander, Officer, Knight, Lazo de Dama (the degree of Knight when it is granted to ladies), and Cruz de Plata.
The order's current regulations date from 1998 as approved by Royal Decree 2395/1998, of 6 November. Among its provisions, the categories of Banda de Dama, Cruz de Caballero and Lazo de Dama were repealed to avoid possible interpretations of there being gender discrimination. Notwithstanding this, for aesthetic and functional reasons, the ladies who are decorated use reduced versions of the insignia of each degree of the Order.
The Order of Isabel the Catholic was instituted by King Ferdinand VII on 14 March 1815. The original statutes of the Order were approved by Royal Decree of 24 March, with membership made in three classes: Grand Cross, and Knights of First and Second Class. Ferdinand VII was declared the Order's Founder, Head, and Sovereign. On 7 October 1816, at the suggestion of the Chapter of the Order, the Knights of the first class were renamed Commanders and the second class were renamed Knights.
By royal decree of 26 July 1847, Isabella II reorganised the four royal orders in Spain: the Order of the Golden Fleece, the Langues of Aragon and Castile of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, the Order of Charles III, and the Order of Isabella the Catholic. The latter was reserved to reward exclusively the services rendered in the Overseas territories. The classes of the order became Knight, Commander, Commander by Number, and Grand Cross. The concession and tests of nobility was suppressed in all the Royal Orders. By royal decree of 28 October 1851, no concessions of Grand Cross of any orders were to be made without the proposal of the Council of Ministers and concessions for the lower classes with the proposal of the Secretary of State.
After the establishment of the First Republic, the Order was declared to be extinguished by Decree of 29 March 1873 as deemed to be incompatible with the republican government. Use of the various insignias was allowed to those who possessed them. When King Alfonso XII ascended to the throne, the Order was reestablished by Decree of 7 January 1875.
Coat of arms of Alfonso XIII, with collar and heraldic mantle of the Order.
During the minority of Alfonso XIII, his mother and Regent, Maria Cristina, signed the royal decrees of 15 April 1889 and 25 October 1900. Among other things, they sought to impose entry into the Order by the category of Knight, to prohibit the use of decorations until the corresponding title was obtained, and to ratify the obligation that the Grand Cross be awarded with the agreement of the Council of Ministers and for conferees to be published in the Official Gazette. By Royal Decree of 14 March 1903, the Silver Cross of the Order was created, and by Royal Decree of 15 April 1907, the Silver and Bronze Medals.
In Royal Decree 1118, of 22 June 1927, the superior grade of Knights of the Collar was created, to be awarded to prominent personalities of extraordinary merit. It also provides that women can also be decorated with either the lazo or banda.
The Provisional Government of the Republic, by decree of 24 July 1931, abolished all orders under the Ministry of State, except for the Order of Isabella the Catholic. The regulations approved by decree of 10 October 1931 introduced a new degree: Officer (Oficial). By decree of 8 August 1935, it was established that the first degree in the Order of Isabella the Catholic was that of the Grand Cross, the Collar being reserved exclusively for very exceptional cases.
In 1938, Franco, by decree of 15 June, restored the Order in its traditional meaning: to reward meritorious services rendered to the country by nationals and foreigners. The order's regulations were approved by Decree of 29 September 1938. According to the 1938 regulations, the order consisted of the following grades: Knight of the Collar, Knight Grand Cross, Commander by Number, Commander, Knight, and Silver Cross. Decree 1353/1971, of 5 June, re-incorporated the rank of Officer, placing it between the grades of Knight and Commander. Thus, the Order consisted of the following grades: Knight of the Collar, Knight of the Grand Cross, Banda de Dama (denomination of the Grand Cross when granted to ladies), Commander by Number, Commander, Officer, Knight, Lazo de Dama (the degree of Knight when it is granted to ladies), and Cruz de Plata.
The order's current regulations date from 1998 as approved by Royal Decree 2395/1998, of 6 November. Among its provisions, the categories of Banda de Dama, Cruz de Caballero and Lazo de Dama were repealed to avoid possible interpretations of there being gender discrimination. Notwithstanding this, for aesthetic and functional reasons, the ladies who are decorated use reduced versions of the insignia of each degree of the Order.
Tal día como hoy 14 de Marzo en 1492 en España, la reina Isabel la Católica ordenaba la conversión de los judíos españoles al cristianismo o de lo contrario eran expulsados. Un decreto polémico a lo largo de la historia, sumando más cosas al famoso «curriculum» de los Reyes Católicos.
Pero una cosa está clara, nuestros predecesores en la historia, como Gran Bretaña y Francia, ya crearon normas así anteriormente a este decreto, el problema fue, que los Reyes Católicos fueron los primeros que lo realizaron oficialmente, con el famoso Edicto de Granada, realizado en la Alhambra, y que posteriormente el rey Fernando el Católico firmaba otro para el Reino de Aragón.
Así a fecha 2 de Agosto de 1492, todos los judíos tenían que abandonar la ciudad o serían expulsados. En el decreto en sí no viene especificado su conversión, estaba claro que fue lo que escogieron en su mayoría los habitantes judíos para no marcharse de sus hogares y comercios.
Las causas que comúnmente se comentan sobre la expulsión fueron:
La Inquisición española establecida.
Presión de la opinión popular, mayoritariamente antijudía, promovida por la Inquisición española.
Episodios de luchas clasistas sobre todo por envidias entre nobleza y clero y la nueva burguesía incipiente en su mayoría judíos.
Aunque no parecen motivos claros para crear un edicto de expulsión, se cuenta también que uno de los motivos que movieron a los Reyes Católicos a realizarlo, además de la unión de fe católica, podría ser la acumulación de riqueza por parte de la Corona por la expropiación a los judíos (pues en su mayoría eran burgueses y con grandes negocios). Esto podría haber hecho que las arcas reales se llenaran en poco tiempo.
Además, se cuenta que este decreto se crea por las quejas de los «Cristianos Viejos» de los «Cristianos Nuevos», pues los segundos seguían practicando la religión judía a escondidas, así fueron comúnmente denominados «marranos» al seguir practicando el judaísmo.
Así aparece en este periodo de la historia, Tomás de Torquemada, confesor de la reina, y que será nombrado primer organizador de la Inquisición española. Pero casualidades, también se cuenta que el propio Tomás de Torquemada, en su pasado tenía familiares judíos, a pesar de que intentó borrar toda huella pasada de él y no se supiera, esto ha dado a muchas especulaciones también sobre su origen. ¿Quizá os suene ya esto también no? Pues sí, lo mismo ocurrirá con el mismísimo Cristóbal Colón, cuyo origen también es desconocido, por lo que también se cuenta que este personaje histórico tan importante en la historia de los Reyes Católicos, también podría ser en sus orígenes judío y también tratara de ocultarlo, al igual que Tomás de Torquemada.
Finalmente, os resumo las condiciones de expulsión que se impuso en el Decreto de Granada:
Se ordenaba salir con carácter definitivo y sin excepción a todos los judíos de todos aquellos territorios que se encontraran bajo el poder de los Reyes Católicos.
El plazo era de 4 meses a partir de la firma del edicto.
La desobediencia a este edicto supondría la condena a muerte y la confiscación de los bienes.
Los Reyes ofrecieron su seguro real para que los judíos negociaran su fortuna y se la llevaran, si así era su deseo en forma de letras de cambio, puesto que había una ley que prohibía que se sacaran oro, plata, monedas, armas y caballos del país.
Parece más bien que además de causas religiosas para realizar este Edicto, fueron las causas económicas y «envidias» las que llevaron a realizar este Edicto, pues los conflictos sociales irían a mayor en la época que vivían y esto llevaría a la toma de decisión por parte de los Reyes Católicos de su expulsión. No será la primera ni última vez que desgraciadamente los judíos se vean en esta situación en la historia, y tristemente, en una de ella los españoles fuimos protagonistas de ello.
A personal motive on the part of the monarchs can also be ruled out, as there is no indication that they felt any repugnance towards Jews and converts. Among the monarchs' trusted men were several who belonged to this group, such as the confessor of the queen friar Hernando de Talavera, the steward Andrés Cabrera, the treasurer of the Santa HermandadAbraham Senior, or Mayr Melamed and Isaac Abarbanel, without counting the Jewish doctors that attended them.[77]
Expulsion of European Jewish communities between 1100 and 1600. The main routes that the Spanish Jews followed are marked in light brown.
Current historians prefer to place expulsion in the European context, and those such as Luis Suárez Fernández or Julio Valdeón highlight that the Catholic Monarchs were, in fact, the last of the sovereigns of the great western European states to decree expulsion – the Kingdom of England did it in 1290, the Kingdom of France in 1394; in 1421 the Jews were expelled from Vienna; in 1424 from Linz and of Colonia; in 1439 from Augsburg; in 1442 from Bavaria; in 1485 from Perugia; in 1486 from Vicenza; in 1488 from Parma; in 1489 from Milan and Luca; in 1493 from Sicily; in 1494 from Florence; in 1498 from Provence...-.[78] The objective of all of them was to achieve unity of faith in their states, a principle that would be defined in the 16th century with the maxim "cuius regio, eius religio," i.e., that the subjects should profess the same religion as their prince.[79]
As Joseph Pérez has pointed out, the expulsion "puts an end to an original situation in Christian Europe: that of a nation that consents to the presence of different religious communities" with which it "becomes a nation like the rest in European Christendom." Pérez adds, "The University of Paris congratulated Spain for having carried out an act of good governance, an opinion shared by the best minds of the time (Machiavelli, Guicciardini, Pico della Mirandola)... [...] it was the so-called medieval coexistence that was strange to Christian Europe."[80]
26 jul 2022 — On March 31, 1492, in the Alhambra's resplendent Hall of the Ambassadors, Ferdinand and Isabella signed an edict, the Alhambra Decree, expelling the Jews from ...
Ferdinand and Isabella issue the Alhambra Decree, which announces the expulsion of all Jews from Spain. The decree will not be formally rescinded until December ...
por M Restaino · 2018 · Mencionado por 2 — ABSTRACT In 1492, after Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand defeated the last Muslim stronghold on the Iberian Peninsula, they presented the ...
King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain issued the Alhambra Decree on March 31, 1492. The decree ordered the expulsion of all Jews from Spanish territories unless they converted to Catholicism.
There were several reasons why Ferdinand and Isabella issued this decree. One reason was religious: Spain was a Catholic country, and the monarchs believed that the presence of Jews in their territory was a threat to the religious unity of the kingdom. They believed that Jews who did not convert to Catholicism would continue to practice Judaism and might try to convert Catholics to their religion.
Another reason was economic. Ferdinand and Isabella believed that expelling the Jews would allow them to seize their property and assets, which could then be used to finance their ongoing war against the Muslim Moors in Granada. By expelling the Jews, they hoped to increase their wealth and power.
The decree was a devastating blow to the Jewish community in Spain, which had been present in the country for centuries. Many Jews chose to convert to Catholicism rather than leave their homes and possessions behind, but even those who did convert often faced discrimination and persecution from their fellow Spaniards. The Alhambra Decree is considered one of the most significant events in the history of Spanish Jewry and had far-reaching consequences for the Jewish diaspora in Europe.
Photo King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella
On 31 march 1889, the Eifel tower in Paris France, was officially inaugurated and opened to the public.
The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, was officially inaugurated and opened to the public on March 31, 1889. The tower was built as the entrance arch to the 1889 World’s Fair, which was held in Paris to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution.
The Eiffel Tower was designed by the French engineer Gustave Eiffel, who also oversaw its construction. It is made of wrought iron and stands 324 meters (1,063 feet) tall, making it one of the tallest structures in the world at the time of its construction. It was originally intended to be a temporary structure, but its popularity with the public and its usefulness for scientific experiments led to it being preserved as a permanent landmark. Today, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most famous landmarks in the world and is a symbol of Paris and France. It is visited by millions of tourists each year and has been the setting for many famous events, including the 1900 World’s Fair, the 1948 Olympic Games, and the millennium celebrations in 2000.
Photo Eiffel Tower
On March 31, 1917, the United States formally took possession of the Virgin Islands from Denmark. The Virgin Islands, a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea, had been under Danish control since the 17th century, but the United States had been interested in acquiring them for some time.
In 1916, the United States entered into negotiations with Denmark to purchase the Virgin Islands, which were strategically located in the Caribbean Sea. The negotiations were successful, and on January 17, 1917, the two countries signed a treaty in which Denmark agreed to sell the Virgin Islands to the United States for $25 million.
The transfer of sovereignty took place on March 31, 1917, when the United States formally took possession of the Virgin Islands. The islands were administered as a U.S. territory and were later granted U.S. citizenship in 1927. Today, the Virgin Islands are a popular tourist destination known for their beaches, crystal-clear waters, and rich cultural heritage.
Photo Virgin Islands
On March 31, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson made a televised address to the nation in which he announced that he would not seek reelection as President of the United States.
Johnson had been facing mounting criticism and protests over his handling of the Vietnam War, as well as other domestic issues. The war had become increasingly unpopular, and many Americans were calling for a change in leadership. Johnson’s decision not to seek reelection came as a surprise to many, as he had previously indicated that he would run for another term.
In his address, Johnson said, “I have concluded that I should not permit the presidency to become involved in the partisan divisions that are developing in this political year.” He went on to urge the nation to “reject the politics of despair and the politics of division,” and called for a renewed commitment to the principles of democracy and unity.
Johnson’s announcement set the stage for a tumultuous presidential campaign in 1968, which saw the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy and the election of Republican candidate Richard Nixon. Johnson’s decision not to seek reelection marked the end of a turbulent and transformative era in American politics.
Photo president Lyndon Johnson
On March 31, 1995, Selena Quintanilla-Perez, a popular Tejano singer, was tragically murdered by her fan club president, Yolanda Saldivar, in Corpus Christi, Texas. Selena was only 23 years old at the time of her death and was widely regarded as one of the most talented and successful musicians in the Tejano genre. Saldivar, who had been managing Selena’s fan club and boutique clothing line, was confronted by Selena’s family members about embezzling money from the businesses. After the meeting, Saldivar pulled out a gun and shot Selena in the back. Selena was rushed to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The news of Selena’s death shocked her fans and the music industry. Her funeral was attended by thousands of mourners, and her death was widely covered by the media. In the years since her death, Selena has become a cultural icon, with her music and fashion influencing a new generation of musicians and fans.
Saldivar was eventually convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. The tragedy of Selena’s untimely death is still mourned by many and serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the impact that talented artists can have on the world.