Ferdinand II of Aragon
Ferdinand II of Aragon, also known as Ferdinand the Catholic, was born on March 10, 1452, in Sos, Aragon. He was the son of John II of Aragon and his second wife, Juana Enríquez. Ferdinand ascended to the throne of Aragon in 1479 following the death of his father.
Marriage to Isabella I of Castile
In 1469, Ferdinand married Isabella I of Castile, which was a pivotal political alliance that united the two most powerful kingdoms on the Iberian Peninsula. This union laid the groundwork for the future unification of Spain. Their marriage was arranged through the Treaty of Segovia, which was signed in 1474.
Reign and Accomplishments
- Unification of Spain: Together with Isabella, Ferdinand worked towards the unification of Spain, culminating in the conquest of Granada in 1492, ending the Reconquista.
- Religious Uniformity: The couple was instrumental in enforcing religious uniformity in Spain. They established the Spanish Inquisition in 1478 to ensure the orthodoxy of Catholicism in the Iberian Peninsula.
- Support for Exploration: Ferdinand and Isabella sponsored Christopher Columbus's voyage in 1492, leading to the discovery of the Americas. This opened up new avenues for Spanish exploration and colonization.
- European Wars: Ferdinand was involved in several wars, including the Italian Wars where he sought to extend Spanish influence in Italy. He also fought against the French in the War of the Lombard League.
- Expansion of Territories: Under his rule, Spain's territories expanded through the marriage of their children into European royalty, like the marriage of their daughter Joanna of Castile to Philip the Handsome, which eventually led to the Habsburg inheritance.
Legacy
Ferdinand's reign significantly shaped Spanish history. His policies, particularly in conjunction with Isabella, laid the foundations for Spain's Golden Age in the 16th century. His efforts in promoting Catholicism and centralizing power contributed to the Spanish Habsburg Empire's dominance in Europe and the New World.
Ferdinand died on January 23, 1516, in Madrigalejo, Extremadura. His burial place is in the Royal Chapel of Granada alongside Isabella.
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