Who's Who - Isabella of Spain

Her name was Isabel, not Isabella...

Isabel's brother Henry IV did not support her marriage to Ferdinand II of Aragorn. He intended her to marry Alfonso V. Henry IV had a daughter Juana but there were questions raised about her paternity. So the Castilian throne was passed to his sister not his offspring. His plan was for Isabel to marry Alfonso, then for Juana marry to his son so that Juana could  take the throne by marriage. Isabel had other plans and chose to escape and marry Ferdinand then the heir to Aragon. Together Isabel and Ferdinand ruled a newly united Spain with equal authority (until her death) for nearly 30 years.
Isabel and Ferdinand were known as the Catholic Kings.

In the year 1492 Isabel:
Personally funded Columbus's trip to the New World
Expelled all the Jews from Spain.

As mother to  five children, she took great care that the children received a strong education, two of whom were Catherine of Aragorn (Wife of Henry VIII) and Johanna of Castile (Johanna the Mad).

When her five-year-old daughter fell into danger, being imprisoned by rebels in the Alcázar in Segovia. The Queen rode with only three companions right into and through the hostile and threatening mob outside to secure the safety of her child. Her courage placated the mob and her openness to their grievances won them over completely.


Founded the Spanish Inquisition in 1478

On her deathbed Isabel’s dictated her Last Will and Codicil, saying:

“no consent nor place is given for the mistreatment of the Indian natives and inhabitants of said Indies and Mainland...

...to their persons or their possessions, but it is so ordered that they be well and justly treated and if they receive any grievance that it be remedied, and that it be provided for”

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