The Journey from Convivencia to Toleration

The Constant Princess

This thread traces Katherine’s changing understanding of religious coexistence, from her family’s conquest policies to a more plural moral outlook.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Promise at Granada A Promise at Granada from "The Constant Princess". Coexistence Promised Terms of surrender Granada’s new rulers promise safety for Muslim communities.

A Promise at Granada from "The Constant Princess". Coexistence Promised Terms of surrender Granada’s new rulers promise safety for Muslim communities.

Coexistence Promised Terms of surrender Granada’s new rulers promise safety for Muslim communities. Catalina grows up amid the beauty and knowledge of the conquered city. A promise with limits The agreement is made within a military victory and depends on the victors’ willingness to honor it. Its fragility becomes clear soon afterward.

Faith Enforced Faith Enforced from "The Constant Princess". Unity Through Coercion Expulsions and pressure The Spanish crown expels Jews and threatens Muslims with conversion or departure.

Faith Enforced from "The Constant Princess". Unity Through Coercion Expulsions and pressure The Spanish crown expels Jews and threatens Muslims with conversion or departure.

Unity Through Coercion Expulsions and pressure The Spanish crown expels Jews and threatens Muslims with conversion or departure. Religious uniformity is presented as the path to one nation. Moral contradiction The policy conflicts with the earlier promise of coexistence and with the palace’s language of justice. Catalina witnesses the gap without yet rejecting her parents’ authority.

The English Debates The English Debates from "The Constant Princess". Law and Religious Difference Two models of rule Catalina and Arthur discuss whether a kingdom requires one faith or can hold many.

The English Debates from "The Constant Princess". Law and Religious Difference Two models of rule Catalina and Arthur discuss whether a kingdom requires one faith or can hold many.

Law and Religious Difference Two models of rule Catalina and Arthur discuss whether a kingdom requires one faith or can hold many. Catalina initially accepts the Christian ruler’s duty to convert subjects. A question left open Her memories of al-Andalus complicate the argument. The couple’s conversations anticipate her later willingness to reconsider religious certainty.

Yusuf’s Moral Challenge Yusuf’s Moral Challenge from "The Constant Princess". The Enemy Shows Compassion A human encounter Yusuf treats Katherine respectfully despite her hostility.

Yusuf’s Moral Challenge from "The Constant Princess". The Enemy Shows Compassion A human encounter Yusuf treats Katherine respectfully despite her hostility.

The Enemy Shows Compassion A human encounter Yusuf treats Katherine respectfully despite her hostility. His kindness makes it difficult to maintain that his faith renders him morally inferior. Knowledge as common ground He argues that people of faith need not be enemies. Katherine cannot yet agree, but she admits uncertainty for the first time.

A Queen Rejects Persecution A Queen Rejects Persecution from "The Constant Princess". An Independent Conscience Her parents questioned Katherine recognizes that Isabella’s campaign against Muslim and Jewish learning harmed Spain.

A Queen Rejects Persecution from "The Constant Princess". An Independent Conscience Her parents questioned Katherine recognizes that Isabella’s campaign against Muslim and Jewish learning harmed Spain.

An Independent Conscience Her parents questioned Katherine recognizes that Isabella’s campaign against Muslim and Jewish learning harmed Spain. Her mother’s devotion no longer makes every policy right. A broader peace She rejects cruelty and persecution as tools of rule. The change is partial but decisive: she can now love her parents without adopting all their judgments.

January 1492, during the surrender

1492, after the Christian takeover

1502, during Arthur and Catalina’s conversations

Spring 1510, during the secret consultation

Summer 1511, after her grief begins to lift