Ferdinand II of Aragon

Ferdinand II of Aragon (1452-1516) was a significant Spanish monarch known for uniting Spain through his marriage to Isabella I of Castile in 1469. Together, they completed the Reconquista by capturing Granada in 1492, ending centuries of Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula. Ferdinand and Isabella also established the Spanish Inquisition, aimed at consolidating Catholicism in Spain. Their reign marked the beginning of Spain’s rise as a powerful nation, leading to the exploration and colonization of the Americas, significantly impacting global history. Ferdinand's policies laid the groundwork for Spain's later dominance in Europe and the New World.