As heiress of Castile, the question of Isabella’s future marriage became a matter of increasing diplomatic activity at home and abroad. Portugal, Aragon, and France each put forward a marriage candidate. Henry seems to have wanted his half sister to marry Afonso V, king of Portugal. As between the Portuguese and Aragonese candidates, she herself,... See more

Isabella demonstrated exceptional political skill even before her marriage to Ferdinand in 1469. She secretly married Ferdinand against the wishes of her half-brother King Henry IV, who had intended her to marry the King of Portugal. This defiance required careful planning and political maneuvering, including obtaining a (likely forged) papal... See more