Also known as the "Catholic Monarchs of Spain", [[Dan's History Web/US 1/Topic Index/Ferdinand of Aragon]] and [[Dan's History Web/US 1/Topic Index/Isabella of Castile]] married and merged their kingdoms in 1469. At the time of their marriage, Ferdinand was seventeen and Isabella was 18, and both were the heirs to the thrones of their kingdoms. Once they took the thrones, their unified kingdoms became the basis of modern Spain. In 1492, the Catholic Monarchs defeated the Kingdom of Granada and ended the Spanish [[Reconquista]]. Then, in the Alhambra Decree, they expelled all Jews from the country. And in April, 1492, they authorized [[Dan's History Web/US 1/Topic Index/Christopher Columbus]] to sail west across the Atlantic and financed his expedition.