The new sovereigns of Spain aimed to continue the
unification of the peninsula by the conquest of Granada. No effort was made by
the Turks, who shortly before had captured Constantinople, to defend this last
stronghold of Islam in the West. The Moors, though thrown upon their own
resources, made a gallant resistance. At least once Ferdinand wearied of the
struggle, but Isabella's determination never wavered. In 1492 A.D. Granada
surrendered, and the silver cross of the crusading army was raised on the
highest tower of the city. Moslem rule in Spain, after an existence of almost
eight centuries, now came to an end.
RULE OF FERDINAND AND ISABELLA
Ferdinand and Isabella belong in the front rank of
European sovereigns. Like their contemporaries, Henry VII and Louis XI, they
labored with success to build up an absolute monarchy. Spain had found, as
England and France had found, that feudalism spelled disorder, and that only a
strong central government could keep the peace, repress crime, and foster trade
and commerce. Ferdinand and Isabella firmly established the supremacy of the
crown. By the end of the fifteenth century Spain had become a leading European
power. Its importance in the councils of Europe was soon to be increased by the
marriage of a daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella to the heir of the Austrian
house of Hapsburg.
