Queen Isabella of Castile Essay Example

Queen Isabella of Castile Paper Queen Isabella of Castile Imagine being born into a place renewing and renovating its knowledge. Not only imagine this, but imagine being a part of the royal family. Imagine choosing a suitor, and then imagine being a queen. Now, when you’re imagining these things put yourself in their shoes. Deeply and thoroughly look into all the challenging responsibilities a queen must go through on a daily basis. Queen Isabella of Castile is such a shining prime example of powerful queen ship during the Renaissance. Isabella of Castile had blue eyes, chestnut-haired, and beautiful. She favored jewels and lovely gowns that she wore throughout her life. As heiress to the throne of Castile she had her pick of royal suitors. Her brother, King Henry IV of Castile, arranged a marriage to Don Carlos, the Prince of Viana. But before the final arrangements could be made, Don Carlos died. King Henry IV had tried to arrange other marriages to Isabella, but she had already chosen Ferdinand. Her brother was furious. He threatened to throw her into the dungeon. Because of her powerful supporters, he knew he could not do that. Instead, he made her promise that she wouldn’t make any arrangements until after he returned from Andalusia. However, as soon as her brother left she began to make arrangements with Ferdinand. However, she had to find him. So she sent out noblemen to search for him and he was finally found in Sicily, Italy. He braved a trip back to Spain and married Isabella in 1469. This began the thirty-five year joint rule of a unified Spain by the Catholic Monarchs. We will write a custom essay sample on Queen Isabella of Castile specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Queen Isabella of Castile specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Queen Isabella of Castile specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Isabella had five children with Ferdinand which include: Isabella, Queen of Portugal, John, Prince of Asturias, Joanna I, Queen of Castile, Maria, Queen of Portugal, and Catherine, Queen of England. Isabella is famous for many important things. The most famous would be her sponsorship for Christopher Columbus to sail across the Atlantic Ocean in hopes to find a way to get to India. In 1492, Isabella was convinced by Christopher Columbus to sponsor his voyage of discovery. By the traditions of the time, when Columbus discovered lands in the New World, they were given to Castile. Isabella took a special interest in the Native Americans of the new lands. When some of them were brought back to Spain as slaves she insisted they be returned and freed, and her will expressed her wish that the Indians be treated with justice and fairness. Another important thing she is famous for is the Inquisition in Spain, one of many changes to the role of the church instituted by the monarchs. The Inquisition was aimed mostly at Jews and Muslims who had overtly converted to Christianity but were thought to be practicing their faiths secretly. Isabella and Ferdinand proceeded with their plans to unify all of Spain by continuing a long-standing effort to expel the Muslims who held parts of Spain. In 1492, the Muslim Kingdom of Granada fell to Isabella and Ferdinand. That same year, all Jews in Spain who refused to convert to Christianity were expelled by royal edict. Queen Isabella of Castile is such a shining prime example of powerful queen ship during the Renaissance. She had disagreements with her brother, married Ferdinand, sponsored a voyage to The New World, and started the Spanish Inquisition. So how would you like to be a queen during the Renaissance, again?