Page 31 - All About History - Issue 38-16
P. 31
Isabella of Castile’s Spanish Inquisition
Reforming a
kingdom
After inheriting a kingdom in turmoil,
Although Isabella initiated highly effective reform
initially approved Law: La Santa Hermandad, or The Holy
by the pope, the Brotherhood, was revived, an old system of armed
Inquisition was later local militias that acted as a citizen police force.
Accountable to the queen, they tracked and
condemned by the captured criminals, as well as helping to establish and maintain
papacy order. The Hermandad were highly efficient, with a close to
100 per cent success rate. Isabella also personally oversaw the
appointment of judges, and the entire judicial system grew
more efficient due to regular checks and officials being held
to account.
Finance: Currency throughout the kingdom was
in a poor state, with coinage debased and inflation
driving the population to financial ruin. Isabella
reduced the number of royal mints to combat this
problem and took control of currency production, restoring the
value of Castilian coin. The previous reigns had left the royal
coffers devastatingly depleted, especially due to the injudicious
selling off of Crown lands. This was halted and reversed under
Isabella, with lands either given or sold back to the Crown.
Government: The reform of the royal council
was high on Isabella's list of priorities, and she
eradicated the dominance of the nobility by
restructuring the composition of the council
to consist of nine lawyers and only three nobles. She also
recognised the importance of personal contact with her
subjects, and ensured that there was ample opportunity for
people to air their grievances in her presence. The council of
state found itself reformed, new councils were established and
the entirety of the governmental machine was streamlined to
maximise efficiency.
The influence of the reforms
made by Isabella and her husband
Ferdinand stretched far beyond the
borders of their united kingdoms
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