Isabel I, Queen of Castile

Isabel I of Castile, also known as Isabel the Catholic (Spanish: Isabel la Católica) was born 22 April 1451 and died 26 November 1504. Isabel I was born in Madrigal de las Altas Torres to John II of Castile and his second wife, Isabel of Portugal. Isabel’s introduction to court life and politics began at age ten when she and her younger brother, Alfonso, joined her half-brother, Henry IV, at court. Records suggest that the children were pawns in the plots and palace intrigue surrounding Henry and Castilian nobility. The latter would openly rebel against Henry and place Alfonso on the throne. His early death in 1468 left Isabel and her niece, Juana la Beltraneja, as the only heirs to the throne. The War of Castilian Succession (1475–1479) was fought to determine the ruler of Castile. Isabel married Fernando V of Aragon in October 1469. The terms of her sovereignty were agreed upon with the Concordia de Segovia (January 1475). Weighing heavily on these terms was the Catholic Monarchs’ sole female heir, Isabel. The queen later bore three more daughters, Juana, Maria, and Catalina. The birth of their son, Juan, in 1478 temporarily calmed the insecurities brought about by female sovereignty. Isabel and Fernando are credited with consolidating monarchic power through the development of a standing militia (the Santa Hermandad), a reorganization of the royal council (Consejo Real), and financial and spiritual reform. The year 1492 has become intrinsically associated with their rule. During that year, the monarchs conquered the Muslim kingdom of Granada (2 January), a major step toward their goal of religious homogeneity in their kingdoms. Generous terms of the treaty marking the end of this war were followed quickly by abuses and forced conversions. Tensions between Christians and Jews since the late 14th century culminated in an edict promulgating their expulsion (31 March). The first Castilian grammar (18 August) was published the same year as Columbus’s first journey across the Atlantic (12 October), presciently acknowledging how the growth of an empire is enabled through language. The latter years of Isabel’s reign are marked by personal loss. The death of her only son in 1497 was the first of many deaths that would again call into question the future of the Castilian throne.

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