Queen Isabella of Spain

Isabella was born in Madrigal de las Altas Torres on April 22, 1451 to her father John II and mother, Isabella of Portugal. Her brother Alfonso was three years younger. Isabella of Portugal was John II's second wife, making infanta Isabella and Alfonso half-siblings to Henry IV to succeeded their father in 1454.

On becoming King, Henry IV moved Isabella and Alfonso to Segovia and the exiled their mother to Arevalo. In about 1461, he summoned Isabella and Alfonso to his court to have more control over them. During this time the nobles challenged Henry IV saying that Alfonso should be King. Though Henry IV agreed providing Alfonso marry his daughter, he changed his mind shortly afterward.

The nobles held their challenge against Henry IV, so in 1467 they met with him and his forces in the Battle of Olmedo. It was a draw. Only one year after this, Alfonso died. He was only fourteen. Then the nobles approached Isabella, but she recognized Henry IV as the rightful King, but Henry IV recognized her as the rightful heir in return in the Treaty of the Bulls of Guisando.

Isabella was on her way to becoming a Queen! King Henry IV, however, tried to use her as a chess piece attempting to convince her to marry one of many of his choices, but she refused finally choosing Ferdinand, heir of Aragon.

They were married October 19, 1469.

Isabella was a very religious person, spending hours in prayer before she made decisions and seeking the council of bishops to be certain. She was known for her beauty and the people loved her. She has even earned the titles, "Servant of God" and "the Catholic."

She was crowned the Queen of Castile three days after Henry IV's death on December 10, 1474. As Queen she accomplished a democratic state, the reformation of the church in Spain, the discovery of America, the prohibition of slavery, and the start of the golden age in spirituality, painting, literature, and theology. She is also associated with the Spanish Inquisition and the expulsion of Jews from Spain and though such actions were possibly wrong (there is some debate), she had good intentions and truly believed that if it was for God, it was permissible - that the end justified the means.

Isabella had five children, Isabella of Asturias, Juan, Prince of Asturias, Juana of Castile, Maria of Aragon, and Catherine of Aragon. Isabella of Asturias, and Juan, however died before their mother, so when Isabella died in 1504 in Medina del Campo leaving her titles to her daughter, Juana the Mad.