Fernando II of Aragon

Fernando II of Aragon, also known as Ferdinand the Catholic, was a 15th-century King of Aragon and Castile (through his marriage to Queen Isabella). Together, they unified Spain and strengthened its monarchy. He played a key role in completing the Reconquista, the Christian reconquest of Spain from Muslims, culminating in the conquest of Granada in 1492. Ferdinand supported exploration, sponsoring Columbus’s voyage that led to the discovery of the New World. His reign helped establish Spain as a major European power, and he is remembered for his political, military, and religious influence in shaping Spanish history.