Ismail II of Granada facts for kids

Ismail II (born October 4, 1339 – died June 24 or July 13, 1360) was a ruler, known as a Sultan, of the Emirate of Granada. This was the last Muslim kingdom in Iberia. He became Sultan on August 23, 1359, but his rule lasted less than a year.

Ismail was the second son of Sultan Yusuf I. His older half-brother, Muhammad V, became Sultan in 1354. Ismail lived in a palace within the royal compound, the Alhambra. In August 1359, Ismail, with help from his mother Maryam and his brother-in-law Muhammad, took the throne from Muhammad V. However, Ismail's brother-in-law soon gained much power. After a disagreement, Ismail was removed from power and died shortly after.

Granada's Place in History

A map showing Granada and its neighboring kingdoms in the 14th century

The Emirate of Granada was the final Muslim state on the Iberian Peninsula. It was founded in the 1230s. This kingdom managed to stay independent for a long time. It was located between two powerful neighbors: the Christian Crown of Castile to the north and the Muslim Marinid Sultanate in Morocco.

Granada often made alliances or went to war with these powers. Sometimes, it even encouraged them to fight each other. This helped Granada avoid being controlled by either one. The Sultans of Granada sometimes paid tribute (money or goods) to the kings of Castile. This was an important source of income for Castile.

Ismail's father, Yusuf I, first allied with the Marinid Sultanate against Castile. But after a big battle in 1340, he chose to focus on defending Granada alone. In 1350, Castile, Granada, and the Marinids signed a peace treaty.

Ismail's Early Life

The family tree of Ismail, his brother Muhammad V, and his brother-in-law Muhammad VI

One of the beautiful palaces within the Alhambra, the royal home of the Nasrid rulers

Ismail was born on October 4, 1339. His father was Sultan Yusuf I, and his mother was Maryam. He was Yusuf I's second son. His older half-brother, Muhammad, was born nine months earlier to another mother. Ismail also had a younger brother named Qays and two sisters, Shams and Zaynab.

Ismail's mother, Maryam, seemed to have more influence with the Sultan. Ismail was also his father's favorite son. A royal official named Ridwan was in charge of teaching Ismail and the other princes. Ridwan, who was once a Christian, even taught Ismail some Greek.

The Nasrid dynasty did not have a strict rule for who would become Sultan next. At first, Yusuf wanted Ismail to be his heir. But just a few days before he died, he changed his mind and named Muhammad as the next Sultan.

Sultan Yusuf I was killed during prayer on October 19, 1354. To the disappointment of Maryam and Ismail, Muhammad (now Muhammad V) was immediately declared the new Sultan. Muhammad V was very young, so Ridwan, who was still his guardian, controlled the government and army.

Ismail, his mother, and his siblings lived comfortably in a palace within the Alhambra. Their movements were limited, but they were treated well. Muhammad V kept peace with his neighbors and had good relationships with the Marinid Sultan and the King of Castile. However, in 1358, Muhammad V got involved in a war between Castile and Aragon. Castile demanded that Granada help with money and soldiers. This decision made many people at court unhappy. This unhappiness helped Ismail later become Sultan.

Ismail's Short Rule

A map of the Emirate of Granada, showing important towns and cities

Ismail became Sultan on August 23, 1359. This happened during a surprise takeover, or coup. His mother Maryam planned and paid for it. His brother-in-law, Abu Abdullah Muhammad, also known as el Bermejo ("the Red-haired"), supported the plan. El Bermejo was a cousin of Ismail's father and had married one of Ismail's sisters.

One night, about a hundred men climbed the walls of the Alhambra. They surprised the guards and took over the palace. They killed Ridwan, the royal official, and took his valuable belongings. Muhammad V was not in the Alhambra that night. He tried to get the palace back but failed. He then fled to the city of Guadix. The people who planned the takeover found Ismail in his palace and declared him the new Sultan.

However, much of the real power soon went to his brother-in-law, el Bermejo. Muhammad V's authority was still recognized in Guadix. He was supported by the commander of the soldiers there. But Muhammad V could not get help from other cities or from his ally, the King of Castile. So, he left Spain for North Africa. He sailed to Ceuta and then to Fez, the Marinid capital. His important officials, including his vizier (chief minister), went with him.

Ismail replaced many of the high officials in Granada. He chose new people for important roles. He suspected some officials were still loyal to Muhammad V.

The End of Ismail's Reign

After avoiding a civil war, Ismail renewed Granada's alliance with Castile against Aragon. In response, the King of Aragon sent Granadan knights to Granada. He hoped this would cause trouble for Ismail's rule.

Some historical writers described Ismail as a weak and lazy ruler. They said he cared too much about his appearance. However, this view might have been unfair because the writer was loyal to Muhammad V. In any case, el Bermejo, Ismail's brother-in-law, held more and more power. Ismail began to disagree with him.

Ismail was surrounded by Muhammad VI's men and likely hid in one of the towers of the Alhambra's Alcazaba (pictured), before he gave up and was killed.

Before Ismail could do anything, el Bermejo launched another takeover. This led to el Bermejo becoming the new Sultan and Ismail being removed from power. This happened either on June 24 or July 13, 1360. Ismail was surrounded by el Bermejo's men. He hid in a tower overlooking the capital, probably in the Alcazaba part of the Alhambra.

Ismail was forced to give up. He offered to live quietly away from power. But el Bermejo took him to a dungeon, where he was killed. El Bermejo then found Ismail's younger brother, Qays, who was still a child, and also had him killed. Ismail's ministers were killed as well. Historians believe el Bermejo did this because he feared that Ismail or Qays could be used by others to try and take the throne from him later. El Bermejo then became Sultan Muhammad VI.

What Happened Next

Muhammad VI's rule did not last long. Muhammad V returned from North Africa in August 1361. He set up his own government and removed Muhammad VI from power in March 1362. Muhammad VI then sought help from Peter I of Castile, who was an ally of Muhammad V. Peter refused to help Muhammad VI. Instead, Peter himself had Muhammad VI killed in Seville on April 25, 1362.

Muhammad V then ruled Granada until his natural death on January 16, 1391. His long reign is seen as one of the best times for the Nasrid dynasty, along with the rule of his father, Yusuf I.