The nobles were so engrossed with hatred of each other, and universal contempt of their late sovereign, with personal ambition and general discontent, that they had little time or leisure to attend to any but their own interest.

But a very brief interval convinced both nobles and people that a new era was dawning for them.
In the short period of eighteen months, the wise administration of Isabella and Ferdinand, had effected a sufficient change to startle all ranks into the conviction that their best interests lay in prompt obedience, and in exerting themselves in their several spheres, to second the sovereign's will.

The chivalric qualities of Ferdinand, his undoubted wisdom and unwavering firmness, excited both love and fear; while devotion itself is not too strong a term to express the national feeling entertained toward Isabella.

Her sweet, womanly gentleness, blended as it was with the dignity of the sovereign; her ready sympathy in all that concerned her people--for the lowest of her subjects; doing justice, even if it were the proud noble who injured, and the serf that suffered--all was so strange, yet fraught with such national repose, that her influence every year increased; while every emotion of chivalry found exercise, and yet rest in the heart of the aristocracy for their Queen; her simple word would be obeyed, on the instant, by men who would have paused, and weighed, and reasoned, if any other--even Ferdinand himself--had spoken.

Isabella knew her power; and if ever sovereign used it for the good, the happiness of her people, that proud glory was her own.
In spite of the miserable condition of the people during the civil struggles, the wealth of Spain had not decreased.