July 14th, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/14/2011
Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand King Ferdinand II (1452-1516) and Queen Isabella (1451-1504). Ferdinand and Isabella established a highly effective coregency under equal terms. They utilized a prenuptial agreement to lay down their terms. During their reign they supported each other effectively in accordance to their joint motto of equality: Tanto monta or monta tanto, Isabel como Fernando ("They amount to the same, Isabella and Ferdinand"). Isabella and Ferdinand's achievements were remarkable: Spain was united, or at least more united than it ever was, the crown power was centralized, at least in name, the reconquista was successfully concluded, the groundwork for the most dominant military machine of the next century and a half was laid, a legal framework was created, the church reformed. Even without the benefit of the American expansion, Spain would have been a major European power. Columbus' discovery set the country on the course for the first modern world power. Document signed "Yo el Rey" (I the King) and "Yo la Reyna," (I the Queen) both with large flourish, text in the hand and endorsed by Royal secretary Miguel de Almazan, Granada, 14 September 1499, 1pp., 12” x 16-3/4”, text in a tight but even Spanish court hand. Professionally matted with engraved plate and image of Columbus and the King in ornate frame. ex Christie’s. An extensive document which goes into considerable detail regarding the requisition of funds to pay for mules, and specifying prices that are permitted to be paid. It is dated during the year in which the Reyes Católicos, having established firm control of the entire Iberian peninsula since 1492, began a concerted campaign to force the kingdom's sizeable Moorish population to convert to Catholicism under pain of expulsion. This was inspired and directed by Cardinal Jiménez de Cisneros, Queen Isabella's priest and confessor.
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