Ferdinand V

1452-1516. King of Aragon. Son of John II of Aragon, he married his cousin, Isabella of Castile in 1469, in order to unite his claims to the crown of Castile with hers. In practice, however, she asserted her own claims to authority in the government of Castile. A faithful Roman Catholic, Ferdinand was very ambitious; he helped to establish royal authority in Spain, he carried on a long struggle against France in Italy, and he supported the voyages of Columbus. He achieved acclaim in Christendom after the capture of Granada in 1491 and the subsequent expulsion of the Moors (Muslims) from Europe. Further honor came his way after the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492. For his enthusiasm for the Inquisition he earned the title “the Catholic.” He was succeeded by his grandson Charles.