Isabella of Castile

Royalty

Born: 1451

Died: 1504

Birthplace: Madrigal de las Altas Torras, Spain

Best known as: The queen who sponsored Christopher Columbus

Also Known As: Isabella I; Isabella the Catholic

Isabella is known to generations of schoolchildren as the queen who financed Columbus's voyages to the New World. Her marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon helped unite Spain. Isabella also presided over the notorious Inquisition, led by her confessor Tomas de Torquemada.

Extra credit: Isabella's youngest daughter, Catherine of Aragon, was the first wife of Henry VIII of England... Isabella's daughter Joanna ("the Mad") was the mother of Charles V, king of Spain and Holy Roman Emperor

Isabella of Castile

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