The Alhambra Decree

The Alhambra Decree (also known as the Edict of Expulsion) was an edict issued on 31 March 1492, by the joint Catholic Monarchs of Spain (Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon) ordering the expulsion of practicing Jews from the Kingdoms of Castile and Aragon and its territories and possessions by 31 July of that year.

In this podcast Dr Tyler Fisher of University College London looks at the Spanish Jewish Expulsion; the motives and policies of the Spanish monarchs, the impact on the Spanish Jewish community and the development of the Sephardic diaspora. In the last track Dr Fisher introduces us to the music of the Salterio (hammered dulcimer) which was an instrument widely used in Spain during this period.

1. The Spanish Jewish Expulsion: Introduction
2. The Edicts.
3. Refugees and exile.
4. Motives for the expulsion.
5. Repressive policies of the monarchs.
6. Were conversions sincere?
7. The Sephardic Diaspora.
8. Music of the period: The Salterio.

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