The Death of a King and the Seeds of Instability

In the early weeks of 1516, the Iberian Peninsula held its breath as news spread of the death of King Ferdinand of Aragon. The passing of this formidable monarch, who had ruled alongside Queen Isabella of Castile and later governed Aragon alone, created a power vacuum that would test the very foundations of Spanish unity. Within weeks of Ferdinand’s demise in January, Ambassador John Stile sent an urgent dispatch from Madrid that would prove remarkably prescient. He warned that unless Prince Charles arrived in Spain by summer, the kingdom would inevitably descend into turmoil and disorder. This communication, written in an atmosphere of uncertainty and apprehension, captured the fragile political moment with startling accuracy.

Ferdinand’s death marked the end of an era characterized by the unification of Spain through his marriage to Isabella, the completion of the Reconquista with the fall of Granada, and the beginning of overseas expansion with Columbus’s voyages. The monarch had skillfully balanced the various kingdoms and interests that comprised his domains, but his passing threatened to unravel this delicate equilibrium. The succession question loomed large: Charles, his grandson, was the legitimate heir, but the young prince had been raised in the Netherlands and remained unfamiliar to his Spanish subjects.

Initial Optimism and Misplaced Confidence

In the immediate aftermath of Ferdinand’s death, official reports painted a reassuring picture of stability. Cardinal Cisneros, the powerful regent of Castile, sent a series of comforting messages to the young Charles, assuring him that all was well in his kingdom. These communications suggested that the transition of power would proceed smoothly, with the institutions of government functioning normally despite the monarch’s absence.

The highest judicial authority in Aragon formally recognized Charles as the legitimate successor to the throne and as legal guardian to his mother Joanna, who was considered “ill, mentally unsound, and insane” and thus incapable of ruling. This official endorsement provided crucial legitimacy to Charles’s claim at a time when his physical absence from the peninsula might otherwise have weakened his position. Meanwhile, from Naples came equally positive reports, with the viceroy stating that the entire kingdom enjoyed peace and order, showing obedience to the new king just as they had to Ferdinand during his lifetime.

Even in Sicily, where some nobles had rebelled upon hearing of Ferdinand’s death, order was quickly restored by the local authorities. This series of optimistic assessments created a false sense of security in Charles’s court in Brussels, leading to a fateful decision. In May 1517, influenced by these reassuring reports, Charles ordered Cisneros to launch a combined land and sea assault against Algiers, continuing his grandfather’s military campaigns in North Africa.

The Unraveling of Authority

Beneath the surface of this apparent stability, however, Castile was rapidly slipping out of control. Cardinal Cisneros found himself in an increasingly precarious position, his authority challenged from multiple directions. When a group of powerful nobles demanded to know by what right he governed the kingdom, the cardinal reportedly pointed to the artillery he had positioned on balconies and other high points, declaring: “These are the powers the king left me, and with them, with the prince’s permission, I will govern Castile until His Highness arrives or sends other orders.”

This heavy-handed approach, while momentarily effective, could not sustain governance indefinitely. The chronicler Bartolomé Leonardo de Argensola would later complain that “the cardinal governed with excessive arrogance,” particularly criticizing his removal of many who had served him faithfully, the withdrawal of salaries from others, and the confiscation of rents and taxes from important figures. These arbitrary actions alienated key supporters and undermined the regent’s authority.

Many of those affected by Cisneros’s policies fled to the Netherlands, seeking refuge at Charles’s court. There, they voiced their grievances against the cardinal’s administration, ensuring that “in the prince’s court, everyone heard nothing but complaints about the situation in Castile.” This exodus of discontented nobles created a powerful opposition lobby that would significantly influence Charles’s perception of the situation in Spain and his subsequent actions upon his arrival.

Growing Discontent and the Threat of Rebellion

Those who remained in Spain grew increasingly dissatisfied with Cisneros’s rule. Numerous nobles and cities began openly opposing the cardinal’s policies, challenging his authority and demanding Charles’s immediate presence. Despite continuing to send optimistic reports to Charles—as late as March 1517, he wrote that “all is well and peaceful”—Cisneros faced mounting opposition that he could no longer contain.

The situation reached a critical point when several of Castile’s major cities threatened to convene the Cortes if Charles did not arrive by October 1517. This ultimatum reflected the growing impatience with absentee monarchy and the widespread desire for legitimate, visible royal authority. The cities’ threat represented not merely political posturing but a genuine constitutional crisis, as the Cortes possessed significant powers that could challenge both the regent and the absent monarch.

Faced with this escalating crisis, Charles finally set sail for Spain, arriving on September 20, 1517, just before the deadline set by the discontented cities. His timing suggested a recognition of the seriousness of the situation, though his preparations indicated he remained somewhat detached from the realities he would face.

Preparations and Missteps

Charles approached his Spanish accession with careful preparation, though not all his measures proved equally effective. He sponsored the publication of works emphasizing his legitimacy, including a new edition of Peter Martyr’s “Decades of the New World” and the “Chronicle of John II,” his great-grandfather. These publications served as propaganda tools, designed to establish his historical and legal right to rule the Spanish kingdoms.

In a more practical vein, Charles obtained copies of the household accounts from his mother’s journey to Spain a decade earlier, possibly to estimate the costs he might incur. He also secured a loan from his uncle-by-marriage, King Henry VIII of England, and brought with him 40,000 newly minted Spanish ducats from Antwerp to cover travel expenses. These financial preparations, while substantial, would prove inadequate for the challenges that awaited him.

The journey itself began inauspiciously. The navigators of Charles’s fleet miscalculated their landing point, forcing the royal party to disembark at the small Asturian port of Villaviciosa, which lacked adequate facilities to handle the royal entourage and its supplies. According to one of the king’s attendants: “There were two hundred people, including lords, gentlemen, and ladies, but fewer than forty horses. Nor was there anywhere to buy horses, first because the place was located in high mountains with difficult roads; second because the main towns were suffering from an epidemic.”

This “epidemic” was bubonic plague, which would plague Charles’s first visit to Spain, affecting his decisions and increasing the resentment of his subjects. The disease added a layer of biological crisis to the existing political turmoil, complicating travel, limiting access to population centers, and creating additional suffering among the already discontented populace.

Arrival and Initial Hardships

Laurent Vital, who landed with his master, attempted to put a positive spin on the difficult circumstances. He claimed that “the king and the great lords willingly accepted the difficult conditions” and “personally helped” with all necessary tasks, “pretending they were in a pastoral idyll, enjoying omelets and pancakes made from local flour and eggs.” But this facade of enjoyment proved difficult to maintain, as “many had to sleep on straw.”

When they exhausted the local food supplies, the cheerful pretense became unsustainable. The royal party had to continue their journey, but with only a few ox-carts , most were forced to proceed on foot. This undignified entrance into his kingdom contrasted sharply with the majestic image monarchy required, further complicating Charles’s efforts to establish his authority.

The difficult travel conditions through the mountainous Asturian landscape, combined with the plague restrictions and inadequate supplies, created a royal progress that resembled a desperate retreat more than a triumphant accession. These inauspicious beginnings would color Charles’s early relationship with his Spanish subjects and influence the challenging reign that followed.

Historical Context and Lasting Significance

The accession of Charles V to the Spanish throne represents a critical moment in European history, marking the beginning of Habsburg dominance in Spain and the creation of a global empire upon which “the sun never set.” The difficulties he faced upon his arrival—political discontent, administrative challenges, and popular dissatisfaction—would characterize much of his reign and influence his approach to governing Spain’s diverse kingdoms.

Charles’s eventual success in consolidating his rule, despite these rocky beginnings, demonstrates both his political skill and the resilience of the Spanish state apparatus. His reign would see Spain emerge as Europe’s predominant power, with vast territories in Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Yet the tensions evident from his accession—between central authority and local privileges, between foreign monarchs and Spanish subjects, between imperial ambitions and peninsular realities—would continue to shape Spanish history for centuries to come.

The events surrounding Charles’s accession thus offer more than merely a dramatic story of political transition; they provide crucial insight into the nature of early modern monarchy, the challenges of composite states, and the personal dimensions of political power. From the uncertain weeks following Ferdinand’s death to the difficult landing at Villaviciosa, these events set the stage for one of the most significant reigns in European history, whose consequences would echo across continents and centuries.