In1492 Catholic Monarchs of and Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain ordered the expulsion of practicing Jews from their kingdoms and possessions by 31 July of that year. The primary purpose was to eliminate their influence on Spain's large population of Jews who converted to Catholicism who may not have believed in Christianity and ensure its members did not revert to Judaism. Over half of Spain's Jews had converted to Catholicism as a result of the religious persecution and pogroms in 1391. Due to continuing attacks, around 50,000 more had converted by 1415. Those who remained chose to convert to avoid expulsion.