6. Juana the Mad Refused to Bury Her Adulterous Husband Philip the Handsome
When she was sixteen years old, the Infanta of Spain, Juana, married Philip of Flanders in October 1496. The daughter of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, the beautiful and intelligent Juana fell passionately in love with her husband. Philip did not return her affections, and his infidelity threw Juana into violent, jealous rages. Juana inherited the throne of Castile when her mother died in 1504, and Philip spread exaggerated rumors of her behavior to label her mentally unfit. Claiming the throne of Castile for himself, he battled with his father-in-law over Juana’s – and his – right to rule.
The struggle over her territory – as stories of her mental state became public knowledge – earned her the nickname “Juana the Mad.” Despite their stormy relationship, Juana remained devoted to Philip. When he died of typhoid fever in 1506, she clung to his body, refusing to let anyone near him. Juana kept Philip’s coffin with her, reportedly having dinner with it as if he was still alive. In light of her behavior, Ferdinand and her son Holy Roman Emperor Charles V kept her under house arrest, ruling in her name until she died in April 1555.