Ferdinand and Isabella
RealmSpain
Reign1474-1504
HouseTrastamara
LegacyCatholic Monarchs, unified Spain, Columbus
Biography
The union of Aragon and Castile created Spain. Granada fell 1492 ending the Reconquista, Columbus sailed the same year. The Inquisition, expulsion of Jews 1492, of Muslims 1502, forged Catholic uniformity at terrible cost. Their daughter Catherine married into England, Juana carried the succession to the Habsburgs. The modern Spanish state and its sins both date to them.