Castilian Succession Crisis

Timeline

1. 1516Madrid · CastileAfter the death of Ferdinand II of Aragon, Castile was nominally ruled by the confined Joanna and Charles, far away in the Low Countries, while actual power rested with Archbishop Cisneros of Toledo as regent, prompting nobles and cities to question legitimacy and representation.
2. c. 1516Tordesillas · Castile and LeónCisneros convened a regency council at Tordesillas to consolidate power in Joanna's name; Castilian city councils insisted that native representatives must take part in decisions, while Aragon argued that succession matters be handled separately under each kingdom's law, sustaining a political deadlock.
3. c. 1516Barcelona · CataloniaLow Countries advisors and Flemish confidants sent by Charles arrived successively in Spain, gradually taking over regency powers and forcing Cisneros to yield. The crisis appeared to subside, but foreign advisors in power aroused strong resentment among Castilian local elites.