The Violent History of Madrid

Ferdinand II and Isabela I

The violent history of Madrid may be said to have started even prior to the reign of Ferdinand II and Isabela I but these two monarchs were instrumental to guiding Spain towards unification. The marriage of Ferdinand II and Isabela I helped unify two great kingdoms (Aragon under Ferdinand II and Castile under Isabela I.) Ferdinand II and Isabela I then set out to reconquer the parts of Spain that had fallen under Muslim rule.

Alhambra Decree

The Alhambra Decree was a decree by Ferdinand II and Isabela I that followed the Reconquista or reclamation of Spain from rule by Muslims. This is just another stage in the violent history of Madrid wherein the Jews who had been tolerated and even encouraged by the Islamic Moors to settle in their Spanish territories where ordered to leave Spain by Ferdinand II and Isabela I. This anti-Semitism was founded on the hostility felt by Catholics against the Jews.