| Date | May 2019 | Marks available | 4 | Reference code | 19M.1.BP.TZ0.6 |
| Level | Both SL and HL | Paper | Paper 1 - first exams 2017 | Time zone | TZ0 |
| Command term | Analyse | Question number | 6 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
The sources and questions relate to case study 1: The final stages of Muslim rule in Spain — Key events and actors: the Granada War and the conquest of Granada (1482–1492).
Source F
Hernando del Pulgar, an official royal chronicler, writing in the Chronicle of the Castilian Kings (c1492).
In the month of December [1491], not having enough provisions left, the citizens of Granada requested a meeting with the Christians. The negotiations lasted thirty days and on 30 December, the Moors surrendered the fortresses held by their king [Abu Abdallah]—the most important of which was the Alhambra—to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. The terms of the treaty allowed the Moors to keep their religion and property, as well as other privileges. The Moors also gave concessions [to the Christians] and, to guarantee the surrender of the fortresses and of all their weapons, many of Granada’s most important citizens were handed over as hostages …
On Saturday, King Abu Abdallah gathered his counsellors, as well as those in the city who were rioting. He spoke to pacify them, explaining that the time for rioting had passed, because they no longer had the supplies to resist the Christian siege. Since they had no hope of help and had given hostages, resistance would bring harm rather than any remedy …
King Abu Abdallah wrote to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella to give assurance that he would comply with the terms of surrender, advising that it be carried out as soon as possible.
Reading this, on 2 January, the king and queen led their army to Granada … The Moorish king came out to surrender the keys of the city.
With reference to its origin, purpose and content, analyse the value and limitations of Source F for an historian studying the Christian war against Granada.
Markscheme
Value:
- It is a first-hand account of the Christian siege and conquering of Granada.
- It was written to provide an official record of events.
- It outlines the performance of the Christians against the Muslims and reveals the problems facing the people of Granada.
Limitations:
- It is a Christian perspective on the events in Granada.
- An official chronicle, it may offer a sympathetic account of the event.
- It is a chronicle of the Castilian kings and may not offer an in-depth account of the war against Granada.
The focus of the question is on the value and limitations of the source. If only value or limitations are discussed, award a maximum of [2]. Origins, purpose and content should be used as supporting evidence to make relevant comments on the values and limitations. For [4] there must be at least one reference to each of them in either the values or the limitations.
Examiners report
Many candidates approached this question effectively, and most responses offered at least one clear point of value and/or limitation. Nevertheless, as suggested above, some responses tended to describe or explain the origin, purpose and content. Although these candidates often went on to comment on the value and limitations of the source, valuable time was wasted on description. There were a few responses that merely stated that the source was a primary or secondary source without further clarification or explanation of its value or limitation.
