The greatest historian and specialist on Queen Isabella of Castile and the reign of the Catholic Monarchs, is a fellow by the name of Luis Suárez Fernández. A medieval history professor with undisputed scholarly knowledge. He wrote a five volume study about the Catholic kings, together they make around 1,300 pages. Is the best investigation with an arsenal of documents that are in existence. Professor Suárez dedicate decades of his life investigating the archives of Queen Isabela and King Fernando reign.
Unfortunately these books are in Spanish and I would recommend any book publisher out there in America reading this, to pick these up, translate them to the English. Is my opinion, that understanding how Spain came to be, is crucial for the future of America for very long long reasons. We need to understand this history and learn from it.
- Los Reyes Católicos. La conquista del trono
- Los Trastámaras de Castilla y Aragón en el siglo XV
- La crisis de la Reconquista (ca. 1350-1474)
- De la crisis del siglo XIV a la Reforma: (ss. XIV-XVI)
- Isabel, mujer y reina
In the future, I will report my findings on the website. Is 1,300 pages this will take some time. My focus will be in the history of the Spanish Inquisition during the reign of Queen Isabela and King Fernando. Is impossible to comment on the whole history of the inquisition because this lasted from 1478 to 1834. Focusing on the following questions: What is the historical context? What was happening in Spain? Why the institution was created? What was the purpose? Who created the institution? Who were the people behind it? The last question was answered already left me quiet surprised.
In my opinion, the “proto foundation” of the Spanish Inquisition, started with The Council of Elvira. This was an early Christian synod held in Elvira, near modern day Granada, Spain. Is considered the first Christian provincial council in the West. This council is well known because is where one find, the first legislative reference to the celibacy of priests. There are many things discussed in this council, for example Canon # 49 Forbade the blessing of Christian crops by Jews. You could get excommunicated. This 4th century council, makes it very clear, that proximity with Judaism is harmful to the faith. Although this was a provincial council, I don’t think this departs from the rest of the universal church.
I haven’t finished reading, but wanted to make that first observation because I think is key to the later history.
