Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
The Golden Age of Spain, 1474–1598 - 5 The crisis in Aragon, 1590–93: The…
Full specification wording
Paper 3, Option 32: The Golden Age of Spain, 1474–1598 - 5 The crisis in Aragon, 1590–93: The importance of the revolt in Zaragoza 1590, the role of Antonio Pérez in the revolt and his significance during the reign of Philip II; reasons why the revolt was easily crushed.
Antonio Pérez, former secretary to Philip II, fled to Aragón in 1590 after falling from favour and being accused of murder.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Antonio Pérez, former secretary to Philip II, fled to Aragón in 1590 after falling from favour and being accused of murder. He sought protection under the fueros, which brought him into conflict with the king and the Inquisition. In May 1591 a crowd in Zaragoza helped him escape from the Inquisition's prison, triggering riots against royal and inquisitorial officials. The revolt mattered because it exposed the clash between royal authority and Aragonese privilege, and because it forced Philip II to intervene militarily. Pérez's significance lies in his role as a catalyst: his case turned a legal dispute into a constitutional crisis. The revolt was easily crushed because it lacked noble leadership, was confined to Zaragoza, and faced the disciplined royal army sent in 1591.
What earns the marks
- Explains that Pérez fled to Aragón and invoked the fueros, turning his personal case into a confrontation between royal and Aragonese jurisdiction.
- Explains that the Zaragoza revolt of 1590–91 involved crowds attacking Inquisition and royal officials and freeing Pérez from custody.
- Explains that the revolt was important because it exposed the fragility of royal authority in Aragón and prompted military intervention.
- Explains that Pérez's significance during Philip II's reign lies in his earlier role as a royal secretary and in the political scandal his case generated.
- Explains that the revolt was easily crushed because it lacked coordinated noble support, was localised in Zaragoza, and was met by a professional royal army.
- Explains that the aftermath, including the execution of the Justicia Mayor and the curbing of the fueros, strengthened royal control.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Presenting Pérez as a popular Aragonese leader.
Put it right by stressing that he was a Castilian royal insider seeking legal protection.
Treating the revolt as a large-scale national uprising.
Put it right by noting it was centred on Zaragoza and lacked broad noble backing.
Assuming the revolt permanently destroyed Aragonese liberties.
Put it right by explaining that Philip II modified rather than abolished the fueros.
Exam tips
- Separate the three strands: importance of the revolt, Pérez's role and significance, and reasons for its defeat.
- Use the chronology 1590–91 to show causation and consequence clearly.
- Support judgements about why the revolt failed with reference to leadership, geography and military force.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 3, Option 32: The Golden Age of Spain, 1474–1598 - 5 The crisis in Aragon, 1590–93: The importance of the revolt in Zaragoza 1590, the role of Antonio Pérez in the revolt and his significance during the reign of Philip II; reasons why the revolt was easily crushed. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
In which Aragonese city did the revolt of 1590 take place?
Listen
Antonio Pérez, former secretary to Philip II, fled to Aragón in 1590 after falling from favour and being accused of murder. He sought protection under the fueros, which brought him into conflict with the king and the Inquisition. In May 1591 a crowd in Zaragoza helped him escape from the Inquisition's prison, triggering riots against royal and inquisitorial officials. The revolt mattered because it exposed the clash between royal authority and Aragonese privilege, and because it forced Philip II to intervene militarily. Pérez's significance lies in his role as a catalyst: his case turned a legal dispute into a constitutional crisis. The revolt was easily crushed because it lacked noble leadership, was confined to Zaragoza, and faced the disciplined royal army sent in 1591. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains that Pérez fled to Aragón and invoked the fueros, turning his personal case into a confrontation between royal and Aragonese jurisdiction. Explains that the Zaragoza revolt of 1590–91 involved crowds attacking Inquisition and royal officials and freeing Pérez from custody. Explains that the revolt was important because it exposed the fragility of royal authority in Aragón and prompted military intervention. Explains that Pérez's significance during Philip II's reign lies in his earlier role as a royal secretary and in the political scandal his case generated. A common slip: Presenting Pérez as a popular Aragonese leader. Instead, stressing that he was a Castilian royal insider seeking legal protection. Exam tip: Separate the three strands: importance of the revolt, Pérez's role and significance, and reasons for its defeat.
Key words
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Royal authority versus Aragonese privilege
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The role of the individual in political crisis
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Inquisition and jurisdiction
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Military intervention and its consequences
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See every definition
- Royal authority versus Aragonese privilege
- The clash exposed by the revolt between the king's power and the fueros of Aragón, which brought Pérez into conflict with Philip II.
- The role of the individual in political crisis
- Pérez acted as a catalyst whose personal case turned a legal dispute into a constitutional crisis.
- Inquisition and jurisdiction
- Pérez sought protection under the fueros, which brought him into conflict with the Inquisition, and crowds attacked inquisitorial officials.
- Military intervention and its consequences
- Philip II intervened militarily, sending a disciplined royal army in 1591, and the aftermath strengthened royal control.
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