1. The final stages of Muslim rule in Spain
The fall of Granada in 1491 to Isabella and Ferdinand ended the seven-century-long process of Reconquista - the aim of regaining the territory conquered by the Muslims in the 8th Century. This final stage in the reconquista took ten years of fierce fighting and ultimately resulted in the expulsion of the Moors from Spain. At the same time Ferdinand and Isabella expelled the Jews thus uniting Spain in one religion and ending the era of toleration and convivencia.
Note this section was updated October 2023
1. Context: Spain at the time of Ferdinand and Isabella
In the 15th Century, the Iberian peninsula was made up of the kingdom of Castile, Aragon, Catalonia, Valencia, Navarre, Portugal and emirate of Granada. The Moors had been in Spain since the 8th Century,...
2. Key events and actors: fall of Grenada
As mentioned on the previous page, the land controlled by the Moors had been reduced to the area of Grenada. The Spanish had previously failed to expel them completely despite an ongoing commitment to...
3. The impact of the Spanish success in ending Muslim rule
The fall of Grenada saw Isabella and Ferdinand extending their prestige and power both within and outside of Spain. However their policies towards both the Muslims and Jews form 1492 led to the ending...