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Isabella I

Historical Figure

Isabella I

d. 1504

Queen of Castile and León from 1474 to 1504

Renaissance

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Biography

Isabella I was Queen of Castile and León from 1474 until her death in 1504. She was also Queen of Aragon from 1479 until her death as the wife of King Ferdinand II. Reigning together over a dynastically unified Spain, Isabella and Ferdinand are known as the Catholic Monarchs. Her reign marked the end of the Reconquista and also the start of the Spanish Empire, allowing Spain to dominate European politics for the next century.

Read more on Wikipedia

Timeline

The story of Isabella I, told in moments.

1469 Event

Marries Ferdinand of Aragon in secret without her brother's permission. She's 18. The marriage unites Castile and Aragon and creates the foundation of modern Spain. The Pope initially refuses to sanction it. A forged papal bull is used instead.

1478 Life

Establishes the Spanish Inquisition with Ferdinand. Tomas de Torquemada becomes Grand Inquisitor. Over the next 350 years, the Inquisition will try over 150,000 people. Between 3,000 and 5,000 are executed.

1492 Event

Granada falls after a ten-year campaign. The last Muslim stronghold on the Iberian Peninsula surrenders. Eight months later, she funds Columbus's voyage west. Same year, she expels all Jews who won't convert. Three acts that reshape the world.

1504 Death

Dies in Medina del Campo at 53. Her will frees her Native American slaves and asks that indigenous peoples be treated justly. The request is ignored. She's buried in Granada's Royal Chapel beside Ferdinand.

Artifacts (15)

POST MEDIEVAL COIN

1474 · COIN
europeana View

POST MEDIEVAL COIN

1474 · COIN
europeana View

Untitled

Fedeli, Antonio dei

1492-1494
vam View

Design for the coat of arms of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon

Raimundo de Madrazo, Spanish

Smithsonian View

Design for the coat of arms of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon

Raimundo de Madrazo, Spanish

Smithsonian View

Study of a Seated Woman (Queen Isabella I of Spain)

Raimundo de Madrazo, Spanish

Graphite and black ink on paper
Smithsonian View

Tomb Portrait of Queen Isabella I of Castile

Raimundo de Madrazo, Spanish

Smithsonian View

Double image Ferdinandus V. and Isabella

Unknown Artist (Production)

europeana View

Isabella or the Fatal Marriage

Unknown

ca. late eighteenth century
vam View

Monument van Isabella I van Castilië met Columbus in Granada, met op de achtergrond de Sierra Nevada

photograph
europeana View

Columbus presenting an account of his voyage to the King and Queen of Spain. Engraved for Drake's Voyages

Print
europeana View

Ferdinand II of Aragon from "Columbus and Isabella, the Immortals. A souvenir centennial poem".

scanned image
europeana View

Isabel, camisa vieja

Biografía de Isabel I de Castilla, desde su nacimiento hasta su muerte, atravesando su difícil infancia en la corte de su hermano Enrique IV, el tratado de los Toros de Guisando o más adelante la...

1987

Respectable Sinners

Reprint of the original, first published in 1865.

2022

he was in shock [...] and it's fair to say he was probably afraid

ce had paid for the gun used in the shooting. The night Shakur died, Wallace called Evans in tears; Evans recalled that "he was in shock [...] and it's fair to say he was probably afraid". Wallace...

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