Lindsey Graham (12:21)
It's December 1489 outside the city of Basa, seven years after the Spanish launched their invasion of the emirate of Granada. Queen Isabella, now 38 years old, peers out of her carriage as it shakes down a muddy mountain track. She's accompanied by a sprawling convoy of lords and ladies, as well as musicians, who signal the queen's approach with the call of trumpets, clarions and drums. Ahead, Isabella can see the countless tents and fluttering banners of the Spanish army camp. And beyond it, framed by mountains in the distance, is the besieged city of Basa. It's been surrounded for months but is yet to fall to Spanish troops, and many in the camp are beginning to doubt it ever will. To the frustration of Isabella and her husband Ferdinand, the fall of a Lama in 1482 did not lead to a collapse of Muslim forces elsewhere in Granada. The Spanish advance through the emirate was slow until they received an unexpected advantage. A Muslim prince known to the Spanish as Boabdil rebelled against his father, and Granada descended into civil war. The Spanish were quick to take advantage of their divided enemy, and in 1483 they defeated a large Muslim force and captured Boabdil himself. But Isabella and Ferdinand didn't execute Boabdil instead, they offered him a deal. They promised to release him, support his attempt to seize the throne of Granada, and allow him to keep the territory around the capital. All they asked in return was his help in conquering the rest of the emirate. Boabdil had little choice but to agree. And since his release from Spanish captivity, he has seemed true to his words. Two years ago, in 1487, the Spanish laid siege to the port of Malaga. Boabil ensured that no aid was allowed to reach the besieged garrison, and after three months, the city surrendered. Emboldened, the Spanish then moved on to Basa. Again. Boabdil blocked the rescue effort from reaching the city, but the garrison inside Basa still refused to surrender. Now Queen Isabella herself has decided to see what's causing the delay. When she questions her commanders, Isabella discovers that they think Basa still has ample supplies of food and weaponry. Spanish attempts to end the siege early by attacking the city have failed, with great loss of life. And now, with winter causing hardship in the camp, Isabella's generals advise her to lift the siege and retreat. But Isabella has no intention of giving up. With Boabdil successfully keeping Muslim relief forces away, she she knows it's just a matter of time before the city surrenders. She just has to keep her troops motivated enough to continue the siege. So she refuses to hide away in her tent and instead makes regular inspections of the troops, making it clear to her soldiers that she is here to lead the Crusade in person. Her presence strengthens the resolve of the Spanish army. But her appearance in camp doesn't just change the atmosphere there. Word of her presence on the front line also also reaches Basa. Inside the city, the defending garrison begins to lose hope. They thought they could outlast the Spanish. But now that Isabella has staked her personal authority on the success of the siege, they realize the Spanish are here to stay. Over the next few weeks, the garrison's resistance withers, and eventually the ruler of the city agrees to negotiate a settlement. Basa surrenders, and the Spanish take control with a man minimum of violence. But the fall of Basa isn't just a Spanish success. The ruler of the city was also Boabdil's last rival for power in Granada. With his capture, Boabdil gains full control of the Islamic kingdom. But thanks to the Spanish campaign, the Emirate of Granada has shrunk considerably over the past few years. It now comprises little more than the city of Granada itself and a few surrounding territories. It is made clear to Boabdil that if he wants to keep even this much reduced kingdom, he will have to remain a vassal of Isabella and Ferdinand forever. But Boabdil soon grows unhappy, believing that Isabella and Ferdinand have gone back on their word and that the land they promised him is instead being occupied and administered by the Spanish. In early 1491, Boabdil will rebel against his former allies and try to take back lands he believes are his. But he'll stand little chance against the might of Spain. After Alama, Malaga and Basa. Soon it will be the great city of Granada that will fall. It's January 2, 1492. At a river crossing outside the city of Granada, two years after the Spanish army captured Basa, Queen Isabella of Castile sits on a horse beside her husband, King Ferdinand of Aragon. Dressed in their most magnificent robes, they look on with regal superiority as their defeated enemies march out of the city in a slow procession. Their heads are bent, their clothes are threadbare, and some of them are so emaciated they can barely walk. Walk. After an eight month siege, the people of Granada have come to surrender. When Boabdil rose up against his former Christian allies, he knew he would need help if his tiny emirate was to survive. He sent messages pleading for aid from other Muslim leaders in Africa and Arabia. But no help came. And after the people of Granada began to starve, Boabdil had no choice but to give up and negotiate a peace. And today, the the gates of Granada have been opened to the Spanish conquerors. And Isabella and Ferdinand are on hand to celebrate their final victory over the Moors. And when the procession comes closer, Isabella spots Boabdil. He dismounts from his horse and bows before the Spanish monarchs. The city is theirs. And after the official surrender, Isabella and Ferdinand ride into Granada and head straight for the sprawling splendor of the Alhambra Palace. Isabella enters the hall of Kings with her hand resting gently on the arm of her husband. She gazes in wonder at the intricate plasterwork on every wall and surface. For 250 years, this palace has been the home of the Emirs of Granada. Now it belongs to Isabella and Ferdinand. The final remnants of Islamic Spain will soon all be swept away. Granada will be incorporated into into the Kingdom of Castile. Its citizens will be forcibly converted to Christianity. And the last emir, Boabdil, will spend the rest of his life in exile. More than 750 years after the Umayyad Caliphate seized control of the Iberian peninsula, the Christian reconquest will be complete. After Granada surrendered to Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand the first monarchs of unified Spain on January 2, 1492. Next on History Daily, January 5, 1968, Slovak reformer Alexander Dubek rises to power in Czechoslovakia, ushering in a brief era of freedom called the Prague Spring. From Noiser and Airship, this is History Daily. Hosted, edited and executive produced by me, Lindsey Graham Audio editing by Mohammad Shazid Sound design by Matthew Filler Music by Thrum. This episode is written and researched by Owen Long. Edited by Scott Reeves Managing producer, Emily Burke Executive producers are William Simpson for Airship and Pascal Hughes for Noiser.
