The Centralized State: Reforms of the Catholic Monarchs (15th Century)

Consolidating Power: The Reforms of Ferdinand and Isabella

The Catholic Monarchs launched sweeping political, economic, and social reforms aimed at consolidating their power over other social classes and restoring peace throughout their kingdoms after the difficult years of war and looting that characterized the fifteenth century.

Key Measures for State Centralization

The main measures implemented by the Crown included:

• Creation of a Mercenary Army: This allowed the monarchs to avoid dependence on the commitment and will of the nobles, who owned the traditional royal hosts.
• Establishment of the Inquisition: Instituted to control Judaizers and converts. Appointments to these positions were made directly by the Crown.
• Financial and Fiscal Measures: These measures permitted higher revenues through:
  • Indirect taxation on consumption and customs services (such as alcabalas and almojarifazgos).
  • Imposing direct taxes (like the sales tax and tithes) on the nobility and clergy, who were previously exempt.
  • Applying new financial tools such as annuities (debt instruments), leasing rights, and loans.
• Reorganization of the Royal Council: This body served as the Kings' primary advisory council and held the highest authority.
• Creation of the Holy Brotherhood (Santa Hermandad): A police and judicial body established to restore peace in rural areas. Each municipality of more than 40 inhabitants was required to maintain two judges and a brigade of officers.
• Control of the Military Orders: Through political maneuvering, Ferdinand was appointed Grand Master of all the Military Orders. These organizations were very powerful and owned large estates, generating significant rents.
• Bureaucratization of the Council of Castile: This involved including lawyers loyal to the Crown and removing the voting rights previously held by the nobles.
• Bureaucratization of the Office of the Corregidor: This office, which had become hereditary, was reformed to ensure justice and fairness in the municipalities, where the corregidores represented the Crown.
• Creation of the Audiencias (High Royal Courts): Established in Valladolid and Ciudad Real.

The Resulting Empire

With this package of political, social, and economic reforms, the Catholic Monarchs succeeded in creating a powerful, centralized state capable of tackling the difficult challenges that would face the Castilian empire—the empire upon which the sun never set.