Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. I.djvu/320

176 1 76 ACCESSION OF FERDINAND AND ISABELLA. PART who brought into vogue that refined science of the .' — cabinet, which was so profoundly studied by states- men at the close of the fifteenth century, and on which his own son Ferdinand furnished the most practical commentary. The crown of Navarre, which he had so shame- lessly usurped, devolved, on his decease, on his guilty daughter Leonora, countess of Foix, who, as we have before noticed, survived to enjoy it only three short weeks. Aragon, with its exten- sive dependencies, descended to Ferdinand. Thus the two crowns of Aragon and Castile, after a separation of more than four centuries, became indissolubly united, and the foundations were laid of the magnificent empire, which was destined to overshadow every other European monarchy.