Travel Adventure Series 1:2 Spain – Magnificent Touring by Re-Tracing History
There is no secret from reading my blog that I have spent a lot of time travelling throughout Spain. Although much of it has been hiking hundreds of kilometers through regions most tourists would never see, I have also visited many other places not associated with Camino hiking at all. What was the driving force behind those tours? It is not any one thing at all that was the driving force behind those multiple trips. It was an actual person, Queen Isabella 1st (The Catholic Queen) who inspired me. That inspiration led to me to plan my itinerary based upon her life story! In fact, almost every city I have visited during this tour of Spain, her history dictated the construction of my itinerary! That’s a tall order for a queen who lived in the 14th century!
I first learned about Isabella 1st (Isabella the Catholic) whilst hiking the Camino. I spent time in Madrid and other northern cities associated with the Camino as I travelled to and from each hiking trip. There were so many historical refences to this Queen and her husband, Ferdinand 2nd of Aragon. I started to pay attention to every mention of this historical Royal Couple. Everywhere I went, their names would come up one way or another. I began to notice paintings, statues, and stories of the Catholic Monarchs in museums, buildings, town squares etc. I began to pay attention to historical facts based upon their triumphs and challenges. I had to learn her story as it became evident that Queen Isabela 1st of Spain had a very important part of the history of Spain and the rest of the world! I began to take detailed notes. My thirst for knowledge of this Queen became insatiable! Little did I know how this insatiable desire to learn more would guide me in discovering the history of Spain and the world!
Artist: Luis de Madrazo.
Part of the Collection in the Prado Museum in Madrid.
Who Was Queen Isabella 1st of Castile? A brief history:
Isabella 1st was born on April 22, 1451 and died on November 26, 1504.
Her reign as Queen of Castile was from 1474 until her death in 1504. Note: The names that many of these Royals were known as is quite amusing. I think you would get a chuckle!
She was also Queen Consort of Aragon from 1479 until 1504 because of her marriage to King Ferdinand II of Aragon. How she became the Queen of Spain is quite the story! Let me share just a few details with you. It really is worth reading about on your own.
Early Beginnings:
Isabella 1st was the first born child to King John of Castile and his second wife, Isabell of Portugal, on 22 April 1451. Isabella 1st was second in line to the throne after her older half brother Henry (Enrique) IV of Castile. Henry IV of Castile was 26 years old at the time of Isabella’s birth. Henry IV was married but remained childless. He was known as Henry the Impotent (according to some historical accounts).
Isabella’s younger brother Alfonso of Castile was born two years later on 17 November 1453. His birth moved Isabella 1st down the line of succession to the throne from second to third. When her father died in 1454, her half-brother became King Henry IV of Castile. Isabella 1st, her brother, and mother were to be cared for by Henry IV. Henry did not follow his father’s wishes. Isabella 1st, her mother, and Alfonso then moved to the town of Arevalo. They were cared for but certainly not in the lifestyle as future Royalty. King Henry the IV lived in the castle in Segovia. You may now be able to understand how Isabella’s life story became very appealing to me. I had to learn more about her!
I became obsessed in my quest to learn more. A dear friend (Nanette from California) recommended I read an interesting historical fiction of her life. She had read the book- “The Queen’s Vow” written by W.C. Gortner. I immediately read it. I already was aware of so many places that were major parts of her life. I had to re-trace many steps in Queen Isabella’s life by visiting these cities, and discover what I could about her reign. It would be my Historical Tour of Spain!
Isabella is barely a teenager when she becomes an unwitting pawn in a plot to dethrone her half brother, King Enrique. Suspected of treason and held captive, she treads a perilous path, torn between loyalties, until at age seventeen she suddenly finds herself heiress of Castile, the largest kingdom in Spain. Plunged into a deadly conflict to secure her crown, she is determined to wed the one man she loves yet who is forbidden to her—Fernando, prince of Aragón. As they unite their two realms under “one crown, one country, one faith,” Isabella and Fernando face an impoverished Spain beset by enemies. With the future of her throne at stake, Isabella resists the zealous demands of the inquisitor Torquemada even as she is seduced by the dreams of an enigmatic navigator named Columbus. But when the Moors of the southern domain of Granada declare war, a violent, treacherous battle against an ancient adversary erupts, one that will test all of Isabella’s resolve, her courage, and her tenacious belief in her destiny.
I had planned another Camino Hiking Trip in the summer of 2018. After doing some research and listening to this audio book, I got the idea to plot out my travels when my hiking was completed. I found listening to an audio book for the first time was amazing. This was the PERFECT book to do this with. I remember sitting back, closing my eyes, and listening intently. My mind created many images of what was going on. For the duration of the book, I was transported back to the 14th century. I knew I HAD TO VISIT some of these important Spanish cities. I noted the cities, events, and what I needed to see in each place. I decided that this trip would re-trace her life in the latter part of her life. I left re-tracing the early years of her life for another trip. I truly felt as an observer to a life I could never know.
Accession to the Throne for Isabella 1st
The tragic death of Isabella’s brother, Alfonso (July 1468) changed the course of history. He was second in line to the throne. Isabella 1st now found herself second in line to the throne. King Henry IV tried multiple times to arrange a marriage for Isabella with people he had chosen. He was not successful! Isabella married the man of her choice, Ferdinand of Aragon (heir to the throne of Aragon) in 1469. She apparently was given help from the Pope to do so despite King Henry IV not wanting this union.
King Henry IV died on December 10, 1474. Isabella 1st was crowned Queen of Castile at Segovia on December 13, 1474.
The Beginning of Change for Spain
Prince Ferdinand 2nd’s father, King John 2nd, died in 1479. Ferdinand 2nd (known as the Catholic King) became King of Aragon. Queen Isabella 1st and King Ferdinand 2nd began a very cooperative reign that eventually would unite as very fragmented Spain. These Catholic Monarchs eventually united Spain and helped develop Spain into a dominant world power. There was a price for doing so. The Spanish Inquisition was just one of the issues.
LET THE TOUR BEGIN!
Granada, The Alhambra, Christopher Columbus, Seville, Cadiz, Cordoba, and The Spanish Inquisition where such critical places/events in the lives of these two Monarchs. I could go on about her life, but that would leave you no reason to discover it for yourself. I have only given you a very brief and condensed synopsis of the history of my Tour Planning Partner, Queen Isabella 1st
Our next post, Series 3 will focus on our first stop, Seville. I will highlight the city and the profound history and impact of Christopher Columbus on these Catholic Monarchs!
KEEP WALKING!
what an interesting read. Being a history fan myself, I will copy this to my Spain file. Looking forward to your next one. Planning on spending some time in Andalusia next Spring or very south of Portugal, just across the border.
Hugs Ingrid
Thank You Ingrid!
The history of this Royal Couple and how they unified Spain, changed the world, and sadly did not protect “ New World Natives” as they had hoped is a fascinating read!