Ferdinand the King

   

    Ferdinand the King

   He knows all serious or insignificant matters of the kingdom, and everything passes by his hands. And even if he seems to listen well to everyone’s views, he is the one that resolves everything…He is skillful in handling weapons, and has shown this before and after being king. He seems to be very religious, since he talks with great reverence about God and always refers to Him. He demonstrates great devotion in religious services and ceremonies, which by the way are very common in the entire nation. He is illiterate but very urban. It is easy to reach him, and his answers are welcoming and very attentive. Few are those who leave unsatisfied with his words. However, fame has it that in his acts he is far off from his promises, whether he makes them knowing he will not keep them, or whether because when things happen he changes his mind and does not regard what he previously had promised.

    When I was ambassador of Spain close to Don Ferdinand the King of Aragon, a very prudent and pious prince, I noticed that when he would meditate about new and important undertakings, far from announcing it first to then justify after, he would cleverly get ready so as the people would say: “the king should do this and that for these and so reasons”. It was then that he would proceed to publish his resolution, saying that he had to do what everyone considered necessary. It was incredible how everyone was favorably pleased and praised his projects.

    One of the most precious fortunes is to have the occasions of showing that the idea of the common good has determined the actions being carried out due to particular interests. This is what gave so much brilliance to the king’s undertakings: always carried out his own business in view of his own greatness and security, however, seemingly for the defense of the Church and the spread of the Christian faith.

        Guicciardini.


Instructions: select one of the buttons with letters a, b and c. The selected answer will appear in red.


INTERACTIVE COMPREHENSION TEST 

1.- Before the issues of his kingdom, Ferdinand the Catholic:

a) Got rid of them.

b) Passed the task to someone else.

c) Was concern and would solve them.



2.- Concerning important decisions, he would:

a) Make them after hearing everyone’s views.

b) Leave for his counselors to make them.

c) Leave for his wife Isabel to make them.



3.- How would he talk about God?

a) Naturally.

b) With great reverence.

c) With contempt.



4.- What did the king have in common with the rest of the nation?

a) Devotion for religious services and ceremonies.

b) Anxiety for greatness.

c) Skills in handling weapons.



5.- The Catholic King:

a) Knew a lot about literature pieces.

b) Did not care about literature.

c) Had a great affection for reading.



6.- Would he keep his promises?

a) Always.

b) Almost always.

c) Hardly ever.



7.- The author of the text was:

a) The earl of Castilla.

b) The Ambassador of Spain.

c) A European traveler.



8.- Before publishing his decisions, he would:

a) Justify them publicly.

b) Consult the Queen.

c) Explain his reasons behind them to the people.



9.- They say that he would do things for:

a) The common good.

b) His particular interest.

c) The wellbeing of his friends.



10.- In reality, by way of his undertakings, the king wanted to:

a) Defend the Church.

b) Spread the Christian faith.

c) Increase his greatness and security.

 
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®Arturo Ramo García.-Record of intellectual property of Teruel (Spain) No 141, of 29-IX-1999
Plaza Playa de Aro, 3, 1º DO 44002-TERUEL