isabella queen

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

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

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

Isabella I | Biography, Reign, & Facts | Britannica

Why was she betrothed to Afonso V of Portugal ?

Goal : To forge a powerful alliance with Portugal.

After disputes about succession and civil unrest in Castile (including doubts about Henry IV’s daughter Juana's legitimacy), Henry tried to marry Isabella off to Afonso V of Portugal , who also had a claim to the Castilian throne (through marriage to

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Why did Henry IV want Isabella to marry Pedro Girón (the Castilian noble)?

Goal : To secure the loyalty of the powerful Girón family and the Castilian nobility during a time of instability.

Pedro Girón was the Grand Master of the Order of Calatrava , and although much older than Isabella (and considered cruel and corrupt), his support could help H

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Ferdinand II, also known as Ferdinand I, Ferdinand III , and Ferdinand V [b] (10 March 1452 – 23 January 1516), called Ferdinand the Catholic , was King of Aragon from 1479 until his death in 1516. As the husband and co-ruler of Queen Isabella I of Castile, he was also King of Castile from 1475 to 1504 (as Ferdinand V ). He reigned jointly with Isa... See more

Ferdinand II of Aragon

King of Aragon from 1479 till 1516. Husband and co-ruler of Queen Isabella I of Castille. Was also King of Castile from 1475 to 1504 (as Ferdinand V). Reigned jointly with Isabella over a dynastically unified Spain. Together they are known as the Catholic Monarchs.

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 dispe... See more

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What led to her be betrothed to King of Portugal, the Castile person, and also Ferdinand at the age of six?

Henry IV of Castile

Pedro Girón Acuña Pacheco.

He was a powerful noble and the Grand Master of the Order of Calatrava, one of the most influential military orders in Castile. In 1466, Isabella’s half-brother, King Henry IV, arranged her betrothal to Pedro Girón as a political move to secure loyalty from the powerful Girón family.

However, just days after the betrothal a