The Castilian Consolidation of Navarre and the Establishment of the Viceroyalty (1512–1513)

By December 1512, the remaining clashes in Navarre were limited to St-Jean-Pied-de-Port and its surrounding areas, which were still occupied by Castilian forces. However, with the Navarrese counteroffensive crushed, Ferdinand II of Aragon moved swiftly to secure Castilian control over Upper Navarre through a combination of military occupation and political maneuvering.

The Appointment of the First Castilian Viceroy (1513)

• Diego Fernández de Córdoba was appointed the first Viceroy of Navarre, responsible for administering the newly conquered territory on behalf of the Spanish Crown.
• His role was to oversee the integration of Navarre into Castile, while managing local resistance and ensuring stability.

The Parliament of Navarre and Ferdinand’s Coronation (March 1513)

• From March 13–23, 1513, the Parliament of Navarre (Cortes de Navarra) was convened, but it was dominated by pro-Castilian Beaumont party representatives who had sided with Ferdinand during the conquest.
• The Parliament formally accepted Ferdinand II of Aragon as "natural lord and king" of Navarre, legitimizing his rule over the kingdom.
• In turn, Ferdinand made concessions, agreeing to maintain Navarrese institutions, laws (fueros), and cultural identity, ensuring a degree of local autonomy.

The Oath to Respect Navarrese Law (1513)

• At the same time, Viceroy Diego Fernández de Córdoba took an official oath to respect Navarrese law (fueros).
• This was an important symbolic and political gesture, meant to pacify the remaining opposition by recognizing Navarre’s historical rights and privileges.
• However, in practice, Castilian rule gradually eroded Navarrese autonomy, leading to further resistance in Lower Navarre and tensions over the coming decades.

Impact and Long-Term Consequences

1. Castilian Rule is Officially Established in Upper Navarre

   • Ferdinand’s formal recognition as King of Navarre in 1513 solidified Castilian control over the region, marking the end of Navarre’s independence south of the Pyrenees.

2. Navarrese Institutions Were Preserved (For Now)

   • While Ferdinand promised to uphold Navarre’s laws and institutions, future Spanish monarchs would gradually centralize power, reducing Navarre’s autonomy over time.

3. Resistance Continues in Lower Navarre

   • Lower Navarre (north of the Pyrenees) remained under the House of Albret, with Catherine and John III continuing to claim their right to the throne.
   • St-Jean-Pied-de-Port became a focal point of resistance, with French-backed Navarrese forces launching occasional raids.

Conclusion: Navarre’s Formal Annexation into Castile

The events of March 1513 marked the final political consolidation of Castilian rule over Upper Navarre. Although local institutions were nominally preserved, Navarre was now a Spanish vassal state, ruled by a Castilian viceroy. Despite this, the fight for Navarre’s independence continued north of the Pyrenees, keeping the dream of a free Navarre alive in Lower Navarre for years to come.