Directory

1479 CE

A year defined by the dynastic union of Castile and Aragon under Ferdinand and Isabella, the Treaty of Alcacovas with Portugal, and the continued consolidation of power by Ivan III of Moscow.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Ferdinand II became King of Aragon in January following the death of his father John II, uniting the crowns of Castile and Aragon in a personal union with Isabella.
  • The Treaty of Alcacovas was signed on September 4, ending the War of the Castilian Succession and recognizing Isabella and Ferdinand as rulers of Castile.
  • The Treaty of Alcacovas also divided Atlantic territories between Castile and Portugal, granting Portugal control over the Azores, Madeira, Cape Verde, and Guinea.
  • The union of Castile and Aragon created the most powerful state in the Iberian Peninsula, laying the foundation for what would become the Kingdom of Spain.
  • Ivan III of Moscow further extended Muscovite power, preparing for the final confrontation with the remnants of Mongol-Tatar overlordship.
  • Maximilian of Habsburg continued to govern the Burgundian Netherlands on behalf of his wife Mary, defending them against French ambitions.
  • Pope Sixtus IV's war against Florence continued, though Lorenzo de' Medici was working diplomatically to end the conflict.
  • Matthias Corvinus of Hungary signed the Treaty of Olomouc, settling his dispute with the Jagiellonian dynasty over the Bohemian crown.

Conflict & Security

  • The War of the Castilian Succession formally ended with the Treaty of Alcacovas, confirming Isabella and Ferdinand's victory over the Portuguese-backed claimant.
  • The Pazzi War between Florence and the papal-Neapolitan alliance continued, with military operations in Tuscany and surrounding territories.
  • Ottoman forces invaded and occupied the Ionian island of Cephalonia, further extending their control in the region.
  • Maximilian of Habsburg fought to maintain control of the Burgundian Netherlands against both French military pressure and internal unrest.
  • Border warfare between Castile and the Emirate of Granada continued, with Ferdinand and Isabella beginning to plan the eventual conquest of the emirate.
  • The Swiss Confederation consolidated its military reputation following the Burgundian Wars, with Swiss mercenaries in growing demand across Europe.

Economy & Finance

  • The union of Castile and Aragon created a larger economic unit with diverse resources, from Castilian wool to Aragonese Mediterranean trade.
  • The Treaty of Alcacovas clarified the division of Atlantic trade between Portugal and Castile, providing a framework for future commercial expansion.
  • The Medici bank continued to face difficulties, with several branches struggling and the institution's dominance of European finance declining.
  • The economic consequences of the Pazzi War affected Florentine commerce and banking, though the city's economic resilience was considerable.

Science & Discovery

  • The Treaty of Alcacovas provided a diplomatic framework for the division of newly discovered Atlantic territories, encouraging further exploration.

Climate & Environment

  • Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration was approximately 273 parts per million, as later confirmed by ice core analysis.

Culture & Society

  • The union of Castile and Aragon under Ferdinand and Isabella marked the beginning of a new era in Iberian history, culture, and power.
  • Lorenzo de' Medici continued to serve as the foremost patron of Renaissance art and learning in Florence, despite the pressures of the Pazzi War.
  • Domenico Ghirlandaio and other painters were active in Florence, producing works that reflected the city's artistic ambitions and Medici patronage.
  • The estimated world population was approximately 452 million, with gradual growth continuing across most inhabited regions of the globe.