How far did Ferdinand and Isabella create a new monarchy in Spain Essay Example

in the restoration of law and order. Not only did they extend Royal control but they also helped bring towns together. However in 1495 the Cortes suppressed it.

Isabella also revived the use of the corregidore or royal governor to extend the control. These governors were sent to all towns in which they did not already exist and gave the monarchy a voice in local affairs. However towns such as Segovia and Burgos refused to accept them and they were also a target for the Communeros.Debatably the main achievement by Ferdinand and Isabella was to bring peace and order to Spain. This was done by using direct personal authority. As there was no fixed capital city Isabella particularly made a point of visiting the cities of Castile, during these visits she would dispense justice at the law courts.

As Ferdinand spent most of his reign travelling in Castile with Isabella, he appointed several Viceroys to who he delegated his powers. This set the foundations for a more unified state.Another political change made by Ferdinand and Isabella was the re-organisation of the national government. The royal council consisted of many separate units who met with Ferdinand or Isabella daily.

The most important change in the council was the introduction of many lawyers (letrados) rather then clergy and aristocracy, although it did contain both of these. After 1493, all councillors with voting rights had to be letrados. However at a local level the administration still remained in the hands of the aristocracy.The financial administration of the states was not new. The main sources of revenue remained traditional.

The most important being sales tax (alcabala). According to J.N.Hillgarth the

major innovation of the monarchs was their ability to acquire extraordinary revenue, such as the cruzada and loans for the wars in Granada. The monarchs also received revenue from the Holy Brotherhood and the military orders.

In all the monarchs had increased there extraordinary revenue by two thirds compared to there predecessors.There seems little evidence to suggest that Ferdinand and Isabella created a new monarchy in Spain rather then just improvements of the old ideas. Fernandez Naverrette said 'they founded the greatness of this immense monarchy' however Ferdinand and Isabella had no intention of a united Spain. It is also clear that the monarchs stuck to traditional methods of government to achieve their aspirations. It seems they achieved very little in limiting the nobles power or the power of the cortes and any financial advancements they did make, they squandered on the wars.

The monarchs through the javelin well however it was unfortunate that it did not stick in the ground.