Isabella’s primary focus was on prayer and reading religious texts, until the moment she and her brother were relocated to Segovia. Shortly after, on February 28, 1462, her brother’s first daughter, Joanna, came into the world. Isabella had the honor of being her godmother at her baptism.
When Isabel was young, she was influenced by Archbishop Alfonso Carrillo and her mother to consider marrying Fernando, the son and heir of Juan II from Aragon. This match was arranged discreetly, and on September 5, 1469, Fernando left Zaragoza pretending to be a servant and accompanied by a small group of people. Just four days later, they had the wedding ceremony, which was officiated by Archbishop Carrillo. The following day, as was customary, the marriage was consummated in the bridal chamber in the presence of carefully chosen witnesses. It’s important to note that this union was driven more by political interests rather than deep affection.
On the twelfth day of December in the year 1474, a messenger brought the heartbreaking news of Enrique’s demise to the Alcázar de Segovia, the home where Isabella I and her husband resided. In response, Isabella I took it upon herself to declare herself as the rightful Queen of Castile in a solemn manner. She wasted no time in dispatching letters to the key cities of the kingdom, informing them of the tragic news and demanding their unwavering loyalty. However, her claim to the throne faced strong opposition when a faction of nobles recognized her niece, Joanna, as the true queen. If that wasn’t enough, the aggressive King Alfonso of Portugal sought to solidify an alliance by negotiating a marriage agreement with Joanna, in an attempt to strip Isabella I of her rightful place on the throne. Driven solely by their hunger for power, Henry IV asserted that the marriage between Isabella and Fernando was null and void since they lacked the necessary official papal decree to validate it. However, Pope Sixtus IV intervened and issued a decree, proving the legality of their union. With all these tumultuous events unfolding, it sparked the beginning of a violent civil war in the quest for the coveted Castilian throne.
Let’s go back to 1479 when Queen Isabella I, known as Isabella the Catholic, achieved a great victory. During this time, important treaties called Alcáçovas and Moura were created. Isabella I, being a powerful ruler, made a specific demand to her niece. She insisted that her niece, who was initially set to marry Alfonso, abandon the idea of marriage altogether and instead dedicate herself to religious life in the convent of the Poor Clares of Coimbra. By doing so, Isabella I aimed to ensure that her rival would not have any children, thereby securing her own lineage and power. This strategic move not only showcased Isabella I’s astuteness but also revealed her determination to protect her position as the reigning queen.
Once the initial excitement settled, Isabella I and Fernando II of Aragon shifted their attention towards the affairs of the kingdom. Their primary goals included strengthening and expanding their political influence, rejuvenating the economy, reclaiming all the Muslim-populated territories on the peninsula, and bolstering the Catholic faith. In recognition of their efforts, Pope Alexander VI bestowed upon them the esteemed title of Catholic Monarchs.
In an effort to bolster the authority of the monarchy and elevate the status of the Catholic Church, the Queen implemented a significant measure. She established the Holy Brotherhood, an institution with the critical responsibility of maintaining public order and overseeing the administration of justice. As part of this reform, she also annulled the privileges granted to the nobility by Henry IV, prioritizing the Royal Council as the primary governing entity of the kingdom, thus reducing the influence of the Cortes. This strategic move aimed to streamline governance and consolidate power in support of the monarchy and the Catholic Church’s standing.
At an economic level, Isabella the Catholic brought about significant changes to public finances by implementing a strict fiscal system. She also played a crucial role in promoting the growth of sheep farming and the wool trade. Furthermore, under her leadership, the military field flourished, resulting in the expansion of Castile and the conquest of the Nasrid kingdom of Granada and Melilla. One of the most remarkable achievements of Isabella’s foreign policy was her unwavering support for Christopher Columbus’s expedition, which ultimately led to the discovery of America. Additionally, Isabella I the Catholic worked closely with Cardinal Cisneros to carry out a remarkable ecclesiastical reform. In 1478, they established the tribunal of the Inquisition, which aimed to enforce Catholic orthodoxy. Finally, in the pursuit of religious unification, Isabella made the tough decision to expel the Jewish community and the Mudejars from Spain, marking a significant turning point in religious matters.
Isabella I of Castile, plagued with illness and a sense of unease about the uncertain fate of her kingdom, made the decision to relocate to Medina del Campo. In this town, she found herself in the throes of torment, with her sole focus being on constructing her will and anxiously awaiting her husband’s efforts to rectify the dire dynastic situation. Tragically, her husband passed away on November 26, 1504, resulting in the transfer of the Castilian throne to their daughter, Joanna I of Castile, who later became the mother of the renowned king and Emperor Charles. Following his death, Isabella’s husband was laid to rest in the esteemed Royal Chapel of Granada.