17 Oct Ferdinand the Catholic
Ferdinand the Catholic, Fernando II of Aragon, son of Juan II of Aragon and Juana Enriquez. He was born in Sos, Saragoza in 1452. Fernando was the King of the Crown of Aragon (1479-1516), Sicily (1468-1516) and Naples (1504-1516).
Fernando the Catholic was one of the most important kings in the history of Spain. Thanks to his government and his wife, Isabella the Catholic, they united the kingdoms of Castilla and Aragon. In addition, they managed to conquer Granada and discover the American continent among many other things.
The title of Catholic Kings was given to them via the Papal Bull Si convenit in 1494 by the Valencian Pope Alexander VI. By this order they received the name King and Queen of the Spains. It was a homage to their work in spreading Catholicism.
Ferdinand personal life
In his personal life Fernando liked to hunt, sports challenges and games of chance. It is said that he was a man of medium build, a modest dresser. Although he liked fine quality kerchiefs, dark with a thick beard which he shaved constantly.
He was of good health, he like games, sport and hunting and it was the latter through which he alleviated his stress. He was a meticulous man of steadfast faith.
A test of that was his decision to marry again one year after the death of the Queen. On 19th October 1505, Fernando at 53 years of age, married Germana de Foix who was 18 years old. In a pact with the King of France, uncle of the bride, gave his niece the sovereign rights to the Kingdom of Naples and to the children of Fernando and Germana the symbolic title of King of Jerusalem. In exchange the Catholic King promised to name any offspring of the marriage his heir, their only child was born dead, so the course of history remained the same.
Ferdinand the Catholic died at 63 years of age in Madrigalejo (Cáceres). Today his remains lie together with Ysabel I of Castilla in the Royal Chapel in Granada.
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