Isabella of Castile facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Isabella I
Isabella I of Castile, painted in the Virgen de la mosca at The Collegiate church of Santa María la Mayor
Queen of Castile and León
Reign	11 December 1474 – 26 November 1504
Coronation	13 December 1474
Predecessor	Henry IV
Successor	Joanna
Co-monarch	Ferdinand V
Queen consort of Aragon ---- Queen of Sicily 1469–1504 Queen of Aragon 1479–1504 Queen of Majorca 1479–1504 Queen of Sardinia 1479–1504 Queen of Valencia 1479–1504 Countess of Barcelona 1479–1504 Queen of Naples 1504–1504
Tenure	20 January 1479 – 26 November 1504
Born	22 April 1451 Madrigal de las Altas Torres
Died	26 November 1504(1504-11-26) (aged 53) Medina del Campo
Burial	Royal Chapel of Granada
Spouse	Ferdinand II of Aragon
Issue Detail	Isabella, Queen of Portugal John, Prince of Asturias Joanna I, Queen of Castile and Aragon Maria, Queen of Portugal Catherine, Queen of England
House	Trastámara
Father	John II of Castile
Mother	Isabella of Portugal
Religion	Roman Catholic
Signature

Isabella I (born April 22, 1451 – died November 26, 1504) was a powerful queen. She ruled Castile from 1474 until her death. Her marriage to Ferdinand II of Aragon helped unite Spain. This union happened under their grandson, Charles I.

Isabella worked hard to claim her right to the throne. She then improved the government system. She also lowered crime rates and cleared the kingdom's huge debts. Her changes, along with those of her husband, had a big impact. Their influence reached far beyond their own kingdoms.

Isabella and Ferdinand are famous for finishing the Reconquista. This was a long period of Christian kingdoms taking back land from Muslim rule. They also told their Muslim and Jewish subjects to convert to Christianity or leave. They are also known for supporting Christopher Columbus. They paid for his 1492 voyage. This trip led to the discovery of the New World. It helped Spain become a major world power for over a century. Pope Alexander VI gave Isabella and Ferdinand the special title "the Catholic." The Catholic Church recognized Isabella as a Servant of God in 1974.

Early Life and Family

Isabella was born in Madrigal de las Altas Torres, Ávila, on April 22, 1451. Her parents were John II of Castile and his second wife, Isabella of Portugal. When she was born, Isabella was second in line to the throne. Her older half-brother, Henry IV of Castile, was first. Henry was 26 and married, but he had no children.

Isabella's younger brother, Alfonso of Castile, was born two years later. This made Isabella third in line to the throne. In 1454, her father died. Her half-brother became King Henry IV of Castile. King Henry was supposed to take care of Isabella and Alfonso.

Life in Arévalo

Isabella, her mother, and Alfonso moved to Arévalo. Life there was difficult for Isabella. Their castle was in poor condition, and they did not have much money. Her father's will said his children should be well cared for. However, King Henry did not follow these wishes. He might have wanted to keep his half-siblings restricted.

Even with tough living conditions, Isabella learned a lot. Her mother taught her about being religious and having deep respect for faith.

Life at Court

Later, King Henry's wife, Joan of Portugal, was about to have a daughter, Joanna. Isabella and Alfonso were called to court in Segovia. The King wanted to watch over them directly and make sure they finished their education. Alfonso was given a tutor. Isabella joined the Queen's household.

Life improved for Isabella in Segovia. She always had food and clothes. She lived in a beautiful castle decorated with gold and silver. Isabella's education included reading, writing, and math. She also learned art, chess, dancing, and music. She spent her free time with her ladies-in-waiting. They enjoyed art, embroidery, and music. She lived a relaxed life, but she rarely left Segovia. King Henry did not allow it. He kept her away from the political problems in the kingdom. However, Isabella knew exactly what was happening and her role in the royal disputes.

Marriage and Rule

Isabella's brother, Enrique IV, who was the King of Castile, wanted to arrange her marriage. Isabella wanted to marry someone from Portugal. This would create a political alliance. However, she secretly married Ferdinand II of Aragon in 1469. They had five children together. Their youngest daughter was Catherine of Aragon. Catherine later married Henry VIII of England in 1509. Isabella was also the grandmother of Carlos I of Spain, who became Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor.

When Isabella’s brother, King Enrique, died, Isabella was supposed to become queen. But Enrique's daughter, Juana, also wanted to be queen. After a war, Isabella became queen of Castile. At the same time, her husband, Ferdinand, became king of Aragon. They united the lands of Castile and Aragon. This union formed what is now modern-day Spain.

Isabella helped pay for four of Christopher Columbus’s trips. These trips were to find new routes to Asia. Instead, he reached the Americas. At that time, people called the Americas "The New World." In 1492, Isabella signed an agreement that made Spain a Christian country. After she died, her daughter Joanna of Castile became queen.

Images for kids

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  The wedding portrait of Ferdinand and Isabella, c. 1469.

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  Ferdinand and Isabella

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  Statue of Isabella by Felipe Bigarny; it resides in the Capilla Real, in Granada.

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  The return of Christopher Columbus; his audience before King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella.

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  Isabella I of Castile by Juan de Flandes (c. 1500–1504)

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  Isabella depicted with darker hair, c. 1485

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  Isabella and Ferdinand with their daughter, Joanna, c. 1482.

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  Queen Isabella ~ Christopher Columbus Issue of 1893
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  Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic

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  5 cent U.S. postage stamp, Columbus soliciting aid of Isabella

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  Coat of arms of Isabella I of Castile depicted in the manuscript from 1495 Breviary of Isabella the Catholic

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  Isabella in the Rimado de la Conquista de Granada, from 1482, by Pedro Marcuello

See also

In Spanish: Isabel I de Castilla para niños