Isabella of Castille
Isabella of Castille was the queen of Castile and Aragon, ruling jointly with her husband Ferdinand II. She brought a golden age to Spain.
Royal Family Member
April 22, 1451
Taurus
November 26, 1504
53
Madrigal de las Altas Torras, Spain
Isabella I, commonly known as Isabella the Catholic, was the queen of Castile and Aragon from 1474 to 1504, ruling alongside her husband, Ferdinand II of Aragon. She played a crucial role in the Spanish Reconquista and sponsored Christopher Columbus’s voyages to the New World. Additionally, she established the Spanish Inquisition, expelled Jews from Spain, and commissioned the construction of the Royal Chapel of Granada. Isabella was also instrumental in founding several universities in Spain, expanding the Spanish empire, supporting the arts, and implementing social welfare programs for the poor.
Isabella and Ferdinand had a well-known royal prenuptial agreement, and she skillfully used intelligence gathering and espionage to maintain her power. She created a network of spies and informants across Spain, which was particularly effective during the Granada War. Her reign marked a golden age for Spain, and her strategic leadership and stable rule had a lasting impact on the country.