Capitulations of Santa Fe

In the spring of 1492, a decision was made that would change the course of world history. The Catholic Monarchs King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isabella of Castile, agreed with the seafarer Christopher Columbus to support his planned expedition to India. Columbus wanted to find a sea route to India over the Atlantic, but in doing so discovered a completely unknown, new continent: America. Christopher Columbus strove and begged for support for years. After the end of the Reconquista he was finally able to convince the Spanish monarchs. He had himself endowed with numerous and extensive privileges in the famous Capitulations of Santa Fe, shortly before he set out west in the name of the Spanish crown.

A Seafarer in the Service of the Spanish Crown

Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand not only signed a simple contract on April 17th, 1492, but also a capitulation in the truest sense of the word. Christopher Columbus, a Genoese seafarer, had already strove for the favor of the so-called Catholic monarchs of Isabella and Ferdinand for some time. He had also called upon other rulers with his plans. After the recapture of Grenada, the Reconquista against the Moors was ended, and now the kingdom could concentrate on other interests. The planned expedition by Columbus promised seminal discoveries and lucrative profits.

Unbelievable Concessions

The contract was finally signed in the Spanish army camp of Santa Fe and Columbus was therewith taken into Spanish service. He was to be richly paid for this service. Thus he negotiated, inter alia, that he was to be named Admiral of the Ocean Sea. Additionally, Columbus was to be made Viceroy and Governor General over all of the regions he discovered. Last but not least, the seafarer was to be immediately adorned with the title of Don, and was promised a 10 % share of the expedition’s revenues and profits. Such concessions, completely surprising at times, were previously inconceivable and are one reason why a true capitulation of the Spanish monarchs can be spoken of. The Capitulations of Santa Fe are considered today to be “one of the most politically significant contracts to be concluded between a sovereign and a private person”!

Politically and Historically Unique

For these reasons, the Capitulations of Santa Fe were elevated to UNESCO World Heritage status. The original form of contract, which Columbus obtained after a years-long struggle for support for his plan of an expedition of exploration, is unfortunately lost today. However, certified copies do exist. The present document collects the capitulations, contracts, certificates, petitions, and certificates of appointment of the Capitulations of Santa Fe on 72 pages. The documents from the end of the 15th century are of inestimable value, and still offer an unmediated glimpse into the political preconditions of the discovery of the New World!