Joan Llorenç, one of the leaders of the revolt, took command in August of 1519 to tell the people that the Germanía had assumed control of the city with the intention of abolishing the bad government that was in place. 

Although supporters of the Germanía initially attempted to garner the favour of the emperor Carlos I, diplomacy gave way to violence in 1521. While the rebels had several early victories, they eventually succumbed to the force of the noble army. 

After the defeat of the Germanía the viceroy Germana de Foix led a long and brutal period of repression against the rebels. More than eight hundred people were publicly executed and those who were spared were obligated to pay numerous fines. 

The Valencian viceroy court fomented social and cultural activity, which, along with the development of printing in the city, attracted nobles from all across the kingdom, intellectuals, artists, and writers, transforming the Palacio Real into a centre of Renaissance and Humanism. 

The Inquisition, a medieval institution that was originally fairly inactive, was utilized by the Catholic Kings as an instrument against Judaism and Islam. Later, it was used to curb the growth of the protestant reform.