Introduction
“I will assume the undertaking for my own crown of Castile and I am ready to pawn my own jewels to defray the expenses of it if the funds in the treasury are found inadequate”- Queen Isabella I. This quote shows people just how strong and determined this queen was. Isabella was a strong ruler, a devoted catholic, and the woman who united Spain.
“I will assume the undertaking for my own crown of Castile and I am ready to pawn my own jewels to defray the expenses of it if the funds in the treasury are found inadequate”- Queen Isabella I. This quote shows people just how strong and determined this queen was. Isabella was a strong ruler, a devoted catholic, and the woman who united Spain.
Marriage
Queen Isabella had one of the world’s greatest royal marriages. Isabella of Castile was wedded to Ferdinand of Aragon in 1469. She was married against her brother, the king’s wishes. King Henry wanted Isabella to wed Afonso V. Despite this, Isabella knew she wanted to marry Ferdinand. She married mostly because she loved Ferdinand, yet also because it would join the two largest kingdoms which Spain would benefit from. The King died after Isabella was married and she inherited the crown. The kingdoms of Castile and Aragon were joined in 1479 and were ruled by Ferdinand, Isabella, and their four girls and boy. Isabella and Ferdinand loved each other and ruled together until they died.
Queen Isabella had one of the world’s greatest royal marriages. Isabella of Castile was wedded to Ferdinand of Aragon in 1469. She was married against her brother, the king’s wishes. King Henry wanted Isabella to wed Afonso V. Despite this, Isabella knew she wanted to marry Ferdinand. She married mostly because she loved Ferdinand, yet also because it would join the two largest kingdoms which Spain would benefit from. The King died after Isabella was married and she inherited the crown. The kingdoms of Castile and Aragon were joined in 1479 and were ruled by Ferdinand, Isabella, and their four girls and boy. Isabella and Ferdinand loved each other and ruled together until they died.
Moorish war
Isabella had strong beliefs and was determined to fulfill them. One of her beliefs was that Spain should be united in religion. Queen Isabella wanted to capture back the kingdom of Granada. Granada had been invaded by Moorish people (Muslim people from Africa), and was now under their rule. Isabella and Ferdinand waged war with the Moorish people living in Spain in 1481. The Moorish people surrendered in 1492. After eleven years of war Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand had captured Granada back. After the war Isabella set up an Inquisition. The Inquisition was a group of people who would torture other citizens until they confessed their religion. If they where not Catholic they were killed. This was an odd action because Queen Isabella was usually just and fair. Isabella also despised violence and never went to the trials. Queen Isabella had a vision of a united Spain and was resolute on making it reality.
Isabella had strong beliefs and was determined to fulfill them. One of her beliefs was that Spain should be united in religion. Queen Isabella wanted to capture back the kingdom of Granada. Granada had been invaded by Moorish people (Muslim people from Africa), and was now under their rule. Isabella and Ferdinand waged war with the Moorish people living in Spain in 1481. The Moorish people surrendered in 1492. After eleven years of war Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand had captured Granada back. After the war Isabella set up an Inquisition. The Inquisition was a group of people who would torture other citizens until they confessed their religion. If they where not Catholic they were killed. This was an odd action because Queen Isabella was usually just and fair. Isabella also despised violence and never went to the trials. Queen Isabella had a vision of a united Spain and was resolute on making it reality.
Christopher Columbus' expedition
Queen Isabella wished to do what was best for Spain and believed funding Christopher Columbus would bring riches and better trading to her country. Christopher Columbus first saw Queen Isabella in 1486 midway into the Moorish war. Christopher put forth his idea saying the voyage would only take a few days. Isabella had many doubts and her scientists disagreed with Christopher on the length of the voyage, Isabella was also busy with the Moorish war. After the war ended Columbus came back, this time some of Queen Isabella’s trusted advisors supported his ideas. Christopher Columbus also promised riches, new land and Christian converts. Isabella was intent on spreading her religion and said yes. By funding Columbus Isabella brought power and riches to Spain.
Queen Isabella wished to do what was best for Spain and believed funding Christopher Columbus would bring riches and better trading to her country. Christopher Columbus first saw Queen Isabella in 1486 midway into the Moorish war. Christopher put forth his idea saying the voyage would only take a few days. Isabella had many doubts and her scientists disagreed with Christopher on the length of the voyage, Isabella was also busy with the Moorish war. After the war ended Columbus came back, this time some of Queen Isabella’s trusted advisors supported his ideas. Christopher Columbus also promised riches, new land and Christian converts. Isabella was intent on spreading her religion and said yes. By funding Columbus Isabella brought power and riches to Spain.
Rule and Death
Queen Isabella was one of Spain’s most influential rulers. As Queen, Isabella supported scholarship and art. Isabella was an excellent horsewoman and during the war with the Portuguese Isabella rode around Spain collecting money. Also during her reign she created a police force for her kingdom and made new trade laws. Though a devoted Catholic, Isabella saw that changes were needed in the church. Isabella made those changes by improving leadership the church. Both Isabella and Ferdinand caught fever, Ferdinand recovered but Isabella died on November 26, 1504. Only three days before, Isabella had urged the fair treatment of the Native Americans. Queen Isabella was an excellent ruler and never stopped working for her country.
Queen Isabella was one of Spain’s most influential rulers. As Queen, Isabella supported scholarship and art. Isabella was an excellent horsewoman and during the war with the Portuguese Isabella rode around Spain collecting money. Also during her reign she created a police force for her kingdom and made new trade laws. Though a devoted Catholic, Isabella saw that changes were needed in the church. Isabella made those changes by improving leadership the church. Both Isabella and Ferdinand caught fever, Ferdinand recovered but Isabella died on November 26, 1504. Only three days before, Isabella had urged the fair treatment of the Native Americans. Queen Isabella was an excellent ruler and never stopped working for her country.
Conclusion
Through out her life Isabelle was a strong woman who never stopped working towards her dreams. Not only was Queen Isabella the ruler who brought riches and power to Spain, she also was the woman who funded the voyage to the new world, changing Europe forever.
By: A.B.
Through out her life Isabelle was a strong woman who never stopped working towards her dreams. Not only was Queen Isabella the ruler who brought riches and power to Spain, she also was the woman who funded the voyage to the new world, changing Europe forever.
By: A.B.