Isabella of Castile

Isabella of Castile (Spanish: Isabel, Ysabel or Isabela — only Isabel is used in modern Spanish; the equivalent English name is Elizabeth, but she has always been known as Isabella in English) (April 22, 1451 – November 26, 1504) was Queen of Castile and Leon. With her husband Ferdinand II of Aragon she was the co-ruler of a unified Spain. This monarch is known by a variety of other names including Isabel I of Castile and Isabel La Católica ("the Catholic").

Early years

Isabelle was born in Madrigal de las Altas Torres on April 22, 1451, her brother Alfonso came three years later. When her father John II died in 1454, her much older half-brother Henry IV became king. As soon as he ascended to the throne, he sequestered both his half-siblings and his stepmother to Arevalo, a virtual exile. Henry IV, whose first marriage to Blanca of Navarre was not consumated and had been annulled, remarried to have his own offspring. His wife gave birth to Joanna, her nickname "La Beltraneja" however indicating the problem of her paternity. When Isabel was about ten, she and her brother were summoned to the court, obviously to be under more direct supervision and control by the king. Henry proved to be a poor ruler and his nobles were restless. In the Representation of Burgos the nobles challenged the King and among other items demanded that Alfonso, Isabelle's brother, should be named the heir to the kingdom. Henry agreed, provided Alfonso would marry Joanna. A few days later, he changed his mind. The nobles, now in control of Alfonso and claiming him to be the true heir, clashed with the forces of Henry in the battle of Olmedo in 1467. It was a drawn battle. One year later Alfonso died at the tender age of fourteen, and Isabelle became the hope of the rebelling nobles. But she refused their advances, instead she acknowledged Henry as king, and he, in turn, recognized her as the legitimate heir. Henry tried to get Isabelle married to a number of persons of his choice, yet she evaded all these propositions. Instead she chose Ferdinand II of Aragon. They were married October 19, 1469 in Ocaña; another source suggests Valladolid (perhaps the place of betrothal).

Related Topics:
April 22 - 1451 - John II - Henry IV - Arevalo - Blanca of Navarre - Joanna - Burgos - Olmedo - Ferdinand II of Aragon - October 19 - 1469 - Ocaña - Valladolid - Betrothal

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~