Isabella of Spain - Women
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Isabella of Spain
«Isabella Of Spain»
(1451-1504)
Queen of Castile in 1474. Marriage of Isabella in 1469
with Ferdinand, King of Aragon in 1479, led to the
dynastic union of Castile and Aragon (the actual
unification of Spain). Isabella different religious
fanaticism.
This woman went down in history as the creator of a
strong Spanish State. Being a fanatical Catholic,
Isabella was able to adopt Christianity in the country,
where for a long time coexisted diverse religions. Like
many powerful rulers, Queen of Spain at times
showed the brutality, and some acts do not make her
reign. However, in general, Isabella, a little
contradictory woman, remained in history as an
extremely important and influential person.
Isabella was born in the family of Juan II, King of
Castile. At that time Spain was a separate,
independent kingdom, and if the Castile and Aragon
were Christian states, the neighboring Granada belonged to Muslims - the Moors. Isabella was brought up
in an atmosphere of hatred towards other religions and, apparently, still in his childhood dreams that drive
them from Spain.
Isabella′s father was a man of good-natured and gentle, but the mother suffered from bouts of hysteria.
The girl grew up in the small town of Arevalo in a simple situation, because in the age of four, she lost her
father and her mother was forced to leave the palace, as well as the throne of Henry′s stepson, selfish and
greedy people.
The first significant event in her life has become engaged to a young heir to the throne of Aragon - Prince
Ferdinand. Isabella had tales of the bridegroom, that impressionable girl fell in love with his chosen one in
absentia. And reality does not disappoint Isabella.
«Isabella Of Spain»
When in 1469 she saw Ferdinand, then literally gasped in
admiration: it is so - tall, charming, self-confident - she
presented her prince.
The first years of married life have been very happy for her. In
1470 Isabella had her first child, and four years later, Henry
died, making thus princess queen of Castile. Two major states
united Spain. There was a very good opportunity for the fight
against Muslim Granada. Isabella used this opportunity to
great advantage in his power. Interests and values Ferdinand
coincided with her own, and in 1480 Aragon and Castile began
to successfully fight against the Moors.
I must say that Isabella has participated in these wars is not on duty, but because of the passion for
adventures and campaigns. Transferring an equal footing with men all the hardships of military life, she
managed to give birth to ten children, however, five of whom died in infancy. And Isabella did not look
outwardly, Amazon, on the contrary - contemporaries painted her fragile creation, with delicate skin and
lovely brown hair.
Children of Isabella and Ferdinand did not know no other life than marching. Duds, from which grew older,
sometimes tattered, were sent to a junior - the royal children of luxury did not know. Of course, Isabella
could leave them at home, but she believed that to be personally engaged in their education and especially
religious. Of the five children the couple had one son, Juan, on which the royal couple, of course, placed
great hopes.
Isabella greatly loved and his daughter Juana, who reminds her nervous, hysterical mother. Queen lot of
time to this girl, feeling sorry for her, but the fate of Juana formed tragic. She was married to Philip of
Austria, and after giving birth to a son, Juan lost her mind.
«Isabella Of Spain»
After the death of her husband was taken to a remote
castle and forgotten forever. But Isabella is not seen
as favorite send her into oblivion.
Mother′s happiness, in contrast to the military, turned
against the queen. In 1497 she had to endure yet
another tragedy - her son Juan died at the age of 19
years, and still youngish woman dressed in robes,
became gloomy and irritable. Family life is also
cracked. In the first years of conjugal life of Isabella
and Ferdinand loved each other, but over time their
relationship started disorder. Strong and domineering,
they are hardly inferior to each other now and then
engaging in conflicts. The death of his son finally
alienated spouses. Ferdinand started a mistress, and
Isabella became misandrist and fully devoted herself to religion.
Isabella is no longer recovered from the grief endured, and instantly turned into a decrepit woman, of no
use to her husband. The only thing that could comfort the queen - the goal set in his childhood in the
romantic dreams, was achieved. January 2, 1492 Moors surrendered Granada, and the winners - Isabella
and Ferdinand - solemnly moved into a magical castle in Alhambra. The country rejoiced, from that
moment began to emerge united Spanish nation. In addition, the Queen has reached and the main thing it destroyed the religious diversity, fixing Catholicism. Isabella signed the edict, according to which all nonChristian population of the country ought to leave Spain. Thousands of Jews, the Muslims were sorely
tested by the Spanish Inquisition. Darkest pages of the reign of Isabella was the revival of the Inquisition in
1480. It is in this Queen of Spain became the most severe catholic country, not one hundred years and
after her reign, bonfires, accompanied by brutal repression.
And the most outstanding act of Isabella was to support the expeditions of Christopher Columbus.
«Isabella Of Spain»
His name is now forever connected in the historical memory with the name
of the Spanish queen. The fact that the great explorer of the place of birth
was Italian, but the spirit was a citizen of the world. For years, Columbus
was trying to implement an ambitious plan - to prove that the earth is not flat
disc and ball, which means that you can find another way to India. Traveler
has traveled all the courts of Europe, asking him to allocate money for the
expedition, but crowned person did not want to spend money on a dubious
enterprise. Turn came Ido Isabella. Columbus first dedicated Spanish queen
in their plans in 1485, but at the time of the war with the Moors was in full
swing and its outcome Isabella worried about much more than Spain′s
promise to open new land and make it a regent of the richest woman in the
world. "Come when I win this war - she said Columbus. - Then I′ll think over
your proposal, but really.
And he came and again asked for money from the Spanish queen, feeling,
apparently, in her native soul adventuress and adventurer. While Columbus enthusiastically expounded his
plans royal couple, Ferdinand counted in mind, how much could cost the treasury this expedition. "Too
expensive!" - said the king rational Columbus. But Isabella, was accustomed to in recent times, even over
trifles object to her husband, brutally cut short by Ferdinand: "If the ruler of Aragon lacks imagination, then I
myself will decide on behalf of Castile," Ferdinand was startled by such a tactless woman, but it only gave
Isabella confidence . Thus, banal family differences have served a very good cause.
But one thing "blurted out" something to spite her husband, and another - to find money in the
impoverished post-war coffers of Spain.
Now Isabella left no doubt of the feasibility of funding the expedition of Columbus. Still, the navigator asked
to provide him a huge sum for equipping ships and various supplies. Could the country afford to risk that
kind of money in a beggar′s time? Queen for a long time could not have anything to do. Finally, maddened
Columbus threatened to Isabella, he would ask the French king, although he had already approached him,
and nothing but the strong opposition, not received. But our heroine, fortunately, did not know.
Legend says if Isabella had laid their own jewelry to finance the expedition, but most likely it′s just a
beautiful legend. Nevertheless, on Aug. 3, 1492 Columbus safely on three ships with a crew of 90 men set
sail. We know how to further develop the event, and remember that instead of India, explorer discovered
New World.
Columbus returned to Spain without the promised treasure, but his stories of new lands shocked vivid
imagination of Isabella, and she agreed to organize three more trips, sharing with Columbus and the glory
of new discoveries. On the island of Hispaniola traveler founded the first New World colony of Europeans.
He called her Isabella - in honor of the queen, by which he could realize his dream. By the way, do not
know how world history would have been if Isabella did not believe Columbus.