Alhambra Decree (Expulsion of the Jews)
The Alhambra Decree, ordering the expulsion of all Jews from Spain, is being read aloud in the Hall of the Ambassadors. Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile stand firm, while a Jewish elde
Setting
The Hall of the Ambassadors in the Alhambra Palace, Granada, Spain. The grand hall is adorned with intricate Islamic and Mudéjar architecture, featuring high ceilings, ornate arches, and detailed tile work. The space is vast, with a sense of both grandeur and solemnity.
Characters
Ferdinand II of Aragon
primary
A middle-aged man of average height with a sturdy build, his face framed by a neatly trimmed beard that is beginning to show streaks of gray. His piercing dark eyes convey both authority and calculation, while his posture exudes regal confidence. His hands, though strong, bear the marks of a ruler accustomed to both the quill and the sword.
Isabella I of Castile
primary
A woman in her early 40s, with a composed and regal bearing. She has a pale complexion, high cheekbones, and piercing blue eyes that convey both intelligence and resolve. Her dark chestnut hair is partially covered by a headdress, styled in the fashion of late 15th-century Castilian nobility.
Jewish Elder
secondary
A venerable man in his late 60s, with a long, well-groomed white beard and deep-set, sorrowful brown eyes. His face is lined with wisdom and the weight of years, and his posture, though slightly bent with age, still carries an air of quiet dignity. His hands, clasped before him, are weathered but strong.
Royal Guard
secondary
A tall, broad-shouldered man in his early 30s with a weathered face, deep-set eyes, and a closely cropped beard. His muscular build suggests years of rigorous training and combat experience. His hands are calloused, resting firmly on the hilt of his sword.
Jewish Woman
background
A middle-aged woman with a slender build, her dark hair partially covered by a simple linen headscarf. Her olive skin is marked by faint lines of worry and hardship, and her dark brown eyes are filled with sorrow. Her hands, rough from years of labor, clutch at the fabric of her skirt.
Dialog
Ferdinand II of Aragon
By the authority vested in us by God and the Holy Mother Church, we hereby decree that all Jews must depart from our realms by the last day of July, lest they face the full severity of our justice.
Isabella I of Castile
It is a heavy burden, but necessary for the purity and unity of our faith and kingdom. Let none say we acted without divine sanction.
Jewish Elder
Your Majesties, for centuries, our people have lived and toiled in these lands. Must we truly be cast out like chaff in the wind?
Ferdinand II of Aragon
The decree is final. Convert or depart. There is no third path.
Jewish Elder
Then let the Almighty judge this day, and may He show mercy where men have shown none.
Isabella I of Castile
See that your people understand the gravity of this command. The time for appeals is past.
Ferdinand II of Aragon
Let it be recorded in the annals of our reign: we have acted for the greater glory of Spain and the Holy Church.