Isabella I | Biography, Reign, & Facts

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, n... See more

Isabella I | Biography, Reign, & Facts | Britannica

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In simple terms, when Isabella became the main heir to the throne of Castile, deciding whom she would marry turned into a big deal, not just for her family but for other countries too. Three major countries—Portugal, Aragon, and France—each wanted her to marry one of their princes or kings because being her husband meant gaining a lot of power.

Her half-brother Henry, who was king at the time, wanted Isabella to marry Afonso V, the king of Portugal. But Isabella, with the guidance of some trusted advisors, preferred Ferdinand from Aragon instead. There was also a French prince, called the duc de Guiènne, who wanted to marry her, but Isabella avoided that option.

Despite not having Henry’s permission, Isabella went ahead and secretly married Ferdinand of Aragon in October 1469, in Valladolid. This marriage was her own choice and would later be very important in the unification of Spain

hree years after her birth her half brother became king as Henry IV. Despite the fact that she had a younger brother, Alfonso, and that her early years were spent quietly with her mother at Arévalo, Isabella was soon drawn into Castilian politics

Isabella I | Biography, Reign, & Facts | Britannica

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the origin of how she got introduced to politics

Isabella was the daughter of John II of Castile and his second wife, Isabella of Portugal