Isabella I

Isabella I

Isabella I (1451-1504) queen of Castile, ranks as one of the most significant figures in the history of Spain. She married Ferdinand of Aragon in 1469. The marriage led to the union of Spain's largest kingdoms, Castile and Aragon, in 1479. This union laid the foundations for Spain's future greatness.

During their reign, new roads were built and the coinage was made standard. Spanish law was codified, and the rulers took over the administration of justice. They reduced the powers of the nobles. Isabella and Ferdinand made war on the Moors, who held part of southern Spain. They captured the Moorish stronghold of Granada in 1492. Also, all Jews were ordered to become Christians or leave Spain.

Isabella was one of the few people who saw merit in the plan of Christopher Columbus to find the Indies by sailing west. Her support of Columbus gave Spain its first claims in America. This led to the growth of the Spanish Empire in the West.

Excerpt adapted from the "Isabella I" article, The World Book Encyclopedia © 1999