Isabella of Castile
Isabella of Castile was a 15th-century Queen of Castile and León. She ruled from 1474 to 1504. Isabella was born into a royal family. She was married to King Ferdinand II of Aragon, and together they formed a powerful alliance that helped to unify Spain and establish it as a major power in Europe. One of Isabella’s most famous accomplishments was her sponsorship of Christopher Columbus’s voyages to the New World, which led to the discovery of America. She was also instrumental in the conquest of Granada. This marked the end of the Muslim rule in Spain and the beginning of the Spanish Empire. Isabella is also known for her role in the Spanish Inquisition. While the Inquisition has been criticized for its extreme methods, it was part of a larger effort to unify Spain under a single religion and create a homogeneous society.