History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic
Quick Summary
William H. Prescott's History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic chronicles the pivotal era of Spanish unification under the joint rule of Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. Their marriage in 1469 united the crowns of Aragon and Castile, laying the foundation for modern Spain.1234
Key events during their reign include:
* The completion of the Reconquista with the conquest of Granada in 1492.24
* The sponsorship of Christopher Columbus's voyage, leading to the European discovery of the Americas.2
* The establishment of the Spanish Inquisition and the expulsion of Jews who refused to convert to Christianity in 1492.4
Prescott's work, published in 1838, is noted for its detailed narrative and use of original sources, establishing him as a significant historian of 16th-century Spain.1
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